Τhe first green sea turtle nest has hatched in Naxos island!
Thanks to the care of the Naxos Wildlife Protection Society, the nest of a green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) hatched successfully and the hatchlings made their way to the sea. This is the first recorded green sea turtle nesting event on Naxos and in the Cyclades.
While the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) nests on approximately 100 km of beaches across Greece, the green turtle prefers warmer waters, and until this summer, its nesting in Greece had been documented by ARCHELON on Rhodes and Crete. The emergence of a nest on Naxos is a sign that the geographical range of the nesting beaches of this threatened species in the Mediterranean may be expanding.
People observing the nest on Naxos got a first-hand experience of hatchling disorientation due to light pollution. This was exactly the same challenge ARCHELON has been addressing with its conservation projects for decades on loggerhead nesting beaches in several locations of Zakynthos, the Peloponnese, and Crete. It is clear that intense artificial lighting near the nesting beaches is a common threat for all sea turtle species, as it can mislead hatchlings and drive them into dangerous paths. In our case, thanks to the swift action and vigilance of the Naxos Wildlife Protection Society, the disoriented hatchlings were guided safely to the sea.
ARCHELON has a long-standing and close cooperation with the Naxos Wildlife Protection Society in sea turtle rehabilitation and monitoring. The bonds between the two organizations, as well as with other local groups, have been strengthened through the Wildlife Rescue Cooperation Network in Greece. This network, established in 2022, promotes knowledge-sharing, volunteer training, and rapid response in rescue and rehabilitation efforts.
A big congratulations to our friends in Naxos for their timely interventions. Here’s to many more in the years to come!
A Season of Success for the Amvrakikos Project
School Tours at ARCHELON: Reserve Your Spot from September 11
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS10/04/2026
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Through educational activities, games and discussions, students had the opportunity to understand that every "green" choice in our daily lives is a direct help to the environment.
- OUR NEWS09/04/2026
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Looking towards the upcoming nesting season, the tourism community of Chania gathered at the city’s Town Hall.
- OUR NEWS08/04/2026
The Return of the “Giant”: Everest Swims Again in Greek Seas After Two Years of Rehabilitation
The story of 'Everest' began in May 2024 in Preveza, when the sea turtle was found with a severe, intentional head injury. Upon arrival at the Rescue Centre, its condition was critical: malnourished, weighing just 81 kg, and suffering from serious buoyancy problems that made survival in the sea impossible.
- OUR NEWS07/04/2026
Through the dust: Rethymno looks for a sustainable future with the sea turtles
Neither the African dust nor the sandstorm of last Wednesday stood in the way of ARCHELON's event at the Rethymno City Hall!
- OUR NEWS02/04/2026
Volunteering Has Never Been More Attractive: Special offers for 2026
ARCHELON invites you to join its field projects and actively protect sea turtles and their habitats.
- OUR NEWS09/03/2026
The Annual General Assembly of the Association
ARCHELON's Members were invited to attend the Annual General Assembly on Saturday, February 28 at the Sea Turtle Rescue Centre.
- OUR NEWS03/03/2026
Join us for the Online Presentation of 2025 Results!
On Monday, March 23rd, we have the chance to meet again online and share what we accomplished together in the past year.
- OUR NEWS03/03/2026
A Digital Adventure for Your Class with ARCHELON
Through a live connection with the Centre, students learn about the turtles’ rescue stories and discover how everyday human activities can negatively impact marine ecosystems.
- OUR NEWS24/02/2026
32 Years Returning to Nest: A Record Reproductive Lifespan for the Loggerhead Sea Turtle in Kyparissia Bay
When we analyzed the turtles’ codes, we realized that this was a turtle that had been tagged for the first time in the area 32 years ago! Specifically, turtle P4849 was tagged on July 7, 1993 and today is the turtle with the longest documented reproductive lifespan in Kyparissia Bay!
- OUR NEWS18/02/2026
"The Mediterranean We Protect" ARCHELON Presented the 2025 Results and the New LIFE MareNatura Exhibition
The presentation of our Accounts for 2025 was held with great success on Saturday, February 14th in Glyfada, honoring the people who are on the front lines for the protection of the Mediterranean.
- OUR NEWS11/02/2026
ARCHELON in the Lakonikos Bay: Nature, Research, Volunteering
The year 2025 was a milestone: a total of 1,253 nests were recorded and protected, while 7 female turtles were equipped with satellite transmitters, sending valuable data about their journeys across the Mediterranean.
- OUR NEWS23/01/2026
A turtle we treated 10 years ago was found in Spain!
“Castello” is a male Loggerhead turtle that was treated at our Rescue Centre in 2015. In 2025 he was found again at a Rescue Centre in Spain!
- OUR NEWS02/01/2026
Against All Odds: A Story of Marine Resilience from Amvrakikos Gulf
One turtle has been surviving for at least six years without a lower jaw!
- OUR NEWS29/12/2025
“Meetings with Remarkable Animals” A Heartwarming Reward for Our Efforts
Kristi Stassinopoulou shared with us a very personal moment: a sketch and a few pages from her book “Meetings with Remarkable Animals"
- OUR NEWS17/12/2025
ARCHELON’s Research: Expanding the Map of Mediterranean Green Turtles
In recent years, some green turtle nests have been recorded in Greece, indicating that the geographical spread of this species’ nesting areas in the Mediterranean is beginning to expand.