Wallace, one of the miracles happening in the Rescue Center
Wallace, an adult male loggerhead sea turtle, was found stranded with a severe head and shell injury in Phalasarna, Crete on the 30th of June 2018. “I remember seeing the animal for the first time and thinking that the best thing that could happen to him was NOT to make it through the night, so that its suffering would not be prolonged” says Odysseas Paxinos, the project officer for ARCHELON’s projects on Crete. With the help of people, the determination of the captain of the local ferry boat company and the Port Police he reached Chania. From there, he was transferred by an ANEK lines ferry to Pireaus and then by car to in the ARCHELON Rescue Center in Glyfada.
His treatment period was long, it took more than one year! Through the restless efforts of Eirini Kasimati, the rescue and rehabilitation officer, Michael Moraitis, who has been voluntarily supporting the Rescue Center for many years and of all the volunteers who served in the Rescue center, Wallace’s wounds were healed and his rehabilitation process was successful. That was a miracle!
His return journey to the sea of Crete started on the 30th of June with the support of TUI CARE Foundation. “I am more than glad to have been proven wrong by the people in the Rescue Center and by Wallace itself. These ancient creatures are strong survivors.” concludes Odysseas.
The release of Wallace back to the sea took place on Luly 1st and was a touching event, supported and sponsored by Grecotel Hotels and Resorts. Strong winds and big waves did not prevent about 350 people from joining the event to say good bye to Wallace. Right on the beach, in front of Grecotel Creta Palace in Misira, Rethymno, we watched the magnificent animal returning to its home, the sea, leaving the coast and humans behind.
This ARCHELON event is part of the TUI TURTLE AID Greece project, funded by TUI Care Foundation. It was organized with the aim of raising awareness amongst visitors and locals on issues related to the conservation of sea turtles on Crete. More than 300 loggerhead nests are laid every summer on Cretan beaches. ARCHELON’s volunteering projects for monitoring and protection of nesting activity on Crete are located in Rethymno, Chania and Messara bay.
The ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Tour is now available!
Year two of loggerhead satellite tagging in Southern Kyparissia!
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS31/07/2025
ATTENTION! Please do not feed sea turtles – They are not pets- Protect them from human induced impacts
ARCHELON informs that the phenomenon of feeding sea turtles by people in coastal areas, ports and tourist spots has been observed in recent years. Despite good intentions, this practice causes serious problems – for turtles and for people alike.
- OUR NEWS25/07/2025
New Info Station in Kyparissia Opens for LIFE MareNatura Project
Located at the beachfront of the town, the Info Station operates daily 18:30 - 21:00.
- OUR NEWS21/07/2025
Public Excavations of Sea Turtle Nests in Crete
The excavations are open for both kids and adults and take place on the nesting beaches of Rethymno, Chania, and the Messara Bay during the months of August and September.
- OUR NEWS21/07/2025
Public Excavations of Sea Turtle Nests in the Peloponnese
The excavations are open for both kids and adults and take place on the nesting beaches of Kyparissia Bay, Romanos, Koroni and Lakonikos Bay during the months of August and September.
- OUR NEWS16/07/2025
Earlier than ever before was the start of the 2025 Hatching Season of Loggerheads in Greece – The first hatchlings have reached the sea!
We are excited to announce the beginning of the 2025 sea turtle hatching season, with the earliest hatching event ever recorded since monitoring began in 1984.
- OUR NEWS15/07/2025
Important presentations at the 16th International Congress on the Zoogeography and Ecology of Greece and Adjacent Regions (ICZEGAR)
ARCHELON actively contributed to the Congress with three oral presentations, highlighting key aspects of its scientific and conservation work for sea turtles.
- OUR NEWS02/07/2025
Citizen Science: Recording of Sporadic Nesting of Sea turtles across the Aegean
For over four decades, many people have been reporting turtle sightings and tracks across the Greek coastline. Thanks to them, we have confirmed 577 unique nesting events outside our regularly monitored areas
- OUR NEWS01/07/2025
Satellite Tagging Completed and Captured on Film in Crete
ARCHELON has just successfully completed the 2025 deployment of satellite transmitters on Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) in Crete, as part of the ongoing LIFE MareNatura Project. This year’s work in Crete was extra special: the LIFE MareNatura Documentary team joined us in the field!
- OUR NEWS23/06/2025
Enjoy the Beaches Responsibly: Together We Protect the Sea Turtles of Kyparissia Bay!
So far, more than 2,000 nests have been recorded in the area. In order to best manage the protected beaches, we have adapted our field work protocols.
- OUR NEWS16/06/2025
World Sea Turtle Day: We can all live together!
Today, June 16th, we celebrate World Sea Turtle Day. On this occasion, ARCHELON expresses its warmest thanks to all citizens, volunteers, donors and supporters who actively contribute to our work.
- OUR NEWS10/06/2025
New Adaptation Strategies for Sea Turtles and Mediterranean Monk Seals
Institutions, associations and researchers will work for 5 years alongside the coastal communities to evaluate and respond to the effects of rising sea levels and ocean warming. These are to be developed through the ‘LIDE ADAPTS’ project which is being carried out in Italy, Greece and Cyprus.
- OUR NEWS08/06/2025
World Oceans Day: Conservation and Anthropogenic “Wounds” in Laganas Bay, Zakynthos
On the occasion of World Oceans Day, ARCHELON brings to the fore the challenges facing Laganas Bay, Zakynthos - one of the most important refuges of the loggerhead sea turtle in the Mediterranean.
- OUR NEWS06/06/2025
Sekania: History of the most precious refuge for the Loggerhead in Zakynthos
Sekania, a secluded 600-meter-long beach in Zakynthos, is a global model of success in biodiversity conservation, with more than 24,000 sea turtle nests recorded over the last 40 years.
- OUR NEWS05/06/2025
World Environment Day: Keeping Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches Safe from Plastics and Bulldozers
On June 5th, we celebrate World Environment Day, a day established by the United Nations in 1972. This year’s theme is #BeatPlasticPollution, and ARCHELON is calling for action on the sea turtle nesting beaches.
- OUR NEWS02/06/2025
Sea Turtles Return to Crete: A Shared Victory for Nature and Sustainable Travel
ARCHELON volunteers have just located the first sea turtle nests of the season on the beaches of Rethymno, Messara, and Chania. Now the challenge to prove that tourism destinations on Crete can make a significant move towards sustainability is on again.