Turtle Releases in Kyparissia
On Friday 23rd September two turtles were released back to the sea at Agiannaki, Kyparissia Bay.
The first turtle, Kotsos, was a baby at only 2kg; it had suffered cuts to the neck and flipper from fishing line entanglement but after one month at the Rescue Centre it was fighting fit again. Thomas, the other turtle, had been admitted to the Rescue Centre having received a severe head trauma. The trauma took a long time to heal but after 2 years at the centre, and having grown from 6 to 13 kg he regained fitness and hence readiness for release.
The event was attended and arranged by the volunteers and leaders of the Kyparissia Bay nesting beach project. Also in attendance were local people and reporters.
The turtles crawled purposefully down the beach; even Thomas who had lost an eye to his original injury headed directly for the surf and was soon well out to sea. Tags in Thomas\' flippers will let us know if he is seen anywhere again in the future on his travels around the Mediterranean.
The turtles\' return to the sea was a heartening sight and made it a day to remember for all who witnessed it.
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