Every year around this time of the year, we all come out of wintering, just as sea turtles do as well. As the sea temperature rises marine turtles, essentially loggerheads start to appear along the coast as it is time for them to come and nest. Not only do we see them in Zakynthos, but also in the Peloponnese as well as in Crete. Turtle are actually present all over the country's coastline which represents over 16000 km.

ARCHELON, the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece, has been active on the field for 30 years, protection not only the endangered sea turtles but also their environment for the benefit of all.
During the same time the ARCHELON Rescue Center has started to expand wherever possible to cope with a large number of injured that will be admitted during the summer. An average of 60 turtles will arrived in our facilities during a single year. As the temperatures become warmer earlier every year, we receive turtle earlier. As a matter of fact we received 5 turtles over the last week. Tassos, Kalimera, Helena, Soula and Margarita were found from different parts of Greece ranging from our next door beach of Glyfada to Lefkada. These turtles were luckily rescued by members of the public demonstrating a greater care for the environment. This does have a direct effect on my faith in humanity.

Also, concerned citizens have been calling everyday showing their concern after witnessing many dead sea turtles. They feel they should be doing something and turn to us for advice. We direct them to our website where many tips are available to them (www.archelon.gr).

Consequently to this warming event, we were able to place our first three turtle into outdoor tanks which are used as pre-release areas where turtles are observed prior to their release.

Katherina, Adriano and Lydia should the first three to return to the sea.

Those three turtle summarised well what can happens to a sea turtle.

Katherina was struck on the head but an irresponsible person out of fear, miseducation and anger. This behaviours is inexcusable but happens in some of our cases.

Adriano had several injuries on the head and the carapace. This seems to have happened accidentally probably cause by a propeller.

Lydia seems to have been caught accidentally on a large fishing hook. The was removed surgically. The other injury on the head was very likely caused on purpose as a negative reaction.

All three turtles are doing great and should be released in the next couple of weeks.

With all the arrivals we have at the moment 24 turtles. Hopefully many of those will be released leaving free tanks for the next batch of injured turtles.

15th of May, nearly a year after has come to release our first turtle back into the wild. Katherina has been observed for the las two week and nothing in her behaviour has shown something that could prevent her release.

I always insist on thanking our saviours out there who have helped these injured creatures reach us and made it possible to try and save them. Saving turtles requires a whole team !

We wish here all the best in her new free life. Our only hope is that her future offsprings will grow to be strong adults and repopulate the Mediterranean.

Safe travelling !
Καλό ταξίδι :)

Pavlo Tsaros

PS : This morning, a caring father called to join the release with his son. After visiting the ARCHELON Rescue Center, this young boy was very concerned about Katherina and asked his father to come and make sure she would go back safely.