What is it that ARCHELON does, finally?
ARCHELON is a very busy organization throughout the year, but December is especially a time of outreach for volunteers and fund raising. All our efforts contribute to the rescue and conservation of sea turtles in Greece. If you like what we do, join us and support us! But what is it that we do, in a nutshell?
ARCHELON volunteers record and protect about 5000 nests on nesting beaches every summer. We monitor about 140 km of coastline, but through our rescue network we maintain data on occasional sea turtle nesting and sightings from all over Greece. We monitor the movements of turtles at sea with simple tags and satellite tagging and we collect population data on feeding grounds. This information is combined with data from other countries and it is used to assess the conservation status of the loggerhead population in the Mediterranean.
We talk to people, the authorities, local businesses, tourists, schools about the conservation measures and monitor their implementation on the nesting beaches in Zakynthos, the Peloponnese and Crete. We talk to more than 120.000 tourists and people near the beach and more than 200 administrators at different levels every year. We collaborate with tour operators and hotel managers who support our aims and efforts. ARCHELON welcomes initiatives related to nature and sustainable tourism near the nesting beaches.
Aside from the nesting beaches, there is the Rescue network and the Sea Turtle Rescue Centre in Glyfada, near Athens. ARCHELON’s Rescue Centre is a year-round hub of activity. Dedicated staff and volunteers receive and treat more than 70 injured or sick sea turtles rescued throughout Greece annually. The causes of illness include swallowing marine litter, especially plastic debris, fishing lines and hooks. Injuries are due to accidental entanglement in fishing nets, collisions with speed boats or deliberate human actions.
More than half of the rescued animals are successfully rehabilitated and released back to their natural habitat, the sea. We are part of a national network for rescuing wildlife and also maintain collaboration with relevant experts from all over the world.
Treatment and rehabilitation of rescued sea turtles triggers public awareness on a number of environmental issues and we welcome students, groups, families on special educational tours. More than 12,000 schoolchildren are attending our educational programs every year. ARCHELON volunteers are always keen to share their experience with visitors during the open hours of the Rescue Centre.
Donate: https://www.archelon.gr/eng/donations.php?mid=8&mid2=89
Adopt a sea turtle: https://www.archelon.gr/eng/sponsor_aturtle_form.php?mid=8&mid2=22
Become a volunteer: https://www.archelon.gr/eng/volunt.php?mid=2
NEWS FLASH!!! Apply for a Field Leader before January 9, 2020!
A loggerhead making a nest with her flipper wrapped in a fishing net
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS18/11/2024
A Nest of Hope: Keanu's Journey with ARCHELON
Keanu Groeneveld, a Wildlife Management student from the Netherlands, recently completed an internship with ARCHELON at the Sea Turtle Conservation Project in Rethymno, Crete. His experience was more than ever expected; it was a transformative journey that ignited his passion for wildlife conservation.
- OUR NEWS12/11/2024
Turtle protection through satellite trackers: TUI Care Foundation and conservation organisation ARCHELON release sea turtle in Greece
Triton was released back into the Mediterranean Sea with a satellite transmitter after several months of rehabilitation at ARCHELON's Sea Turtle Rescue Centre. As part of the TUI Turtle Aid programme, the initiative aims to contribute valuable insights into sea turtle behaviour.
- OUR NEWS11/11/2024
A very exciting nesting record confirms the recovery of the Loggerhead population breeding in Kyparissia Bay, Greece!
This year, ARCHELON has recorded a new nesting record: 6,700 Loggerhead nests in the core nesting area of Kyparissia Bay.
- OUR NEWS28/10/2024
A wildlife symbol turned into a macabre tourist attraction
Αn embalmed Loggerhead sea turtle was found on public display in front of one of the Kastos island’s taverns.
- OUR NEWS23/10/2024
Growing Beyond Boundaries: A Volunteer's Transformation
“Through volunteering in Chania, I was able to go beyond my limits and discover a new world,” says Hyerim Ryu, explaining her motivation and sharing her experience of 5 weeks volunteering with ARCHELON.
- OUR NEWS18/10/2024
Is there any progress on establishing an all-embracing Marine Park in the Ionian Sea?
We are awaiting the results of the study with great interest, as the establishment of the new Marine Park in the Ionian Sea will be a landmark for the protection of sea turtles in the Mediterranean.
- OUR NEWS16/10/2024
Greece's Marine Protected Areas remain unprotected
A new report, by nine environmental organizations, identifies serious deficiencies in the protection of the most important Greek marine habitats, stressing the urgent need for immediate action
- OUR NEWS14/10/2024
2025 Projects: Is it your turn to save the sea turtles?
ARCHELON is thrilled to announce the volunteering projects for 2025. If you're passionate about nature conservation and eager to make a positive impact, we invite you to join our dedicated team of volunteers.
- OUR NEWS30/09/2024
Reunite with Your Passion: Become an ARCHELON Ambassador!
Are you passionate about sea turtle conservation and want to make a positive impact on their survival? Becoming an ARCHELON ambassador is a fantastic way to contribute to this important cause.
- OUR NEWS27/09/2024
Transforming Rethymno: Sustainable tourism opportunities with the sea turtle as ambassador
With sea turtles as its ambassadors, Rethymno has the opportunity to become a global leader in sustainable tourism. By offering responsible ecotourism experiences, the tourism industry can create a legion of passionate advocates for ocean conservation.
- OUR NEWS18/09/2024
Counting the Loggerhead nests in Zakynthos - the work of an army of ants
For the past 41+ years, ARCHELON has been counting annually nests laid by loggerhead turtles on the island of Zakynthos, one of most important nesting areas in the Mediterranean.
- OUR NEWS17/09/2024
Successful wrap up of Amvrakikos project for 2024 marking two decades of dedicated work
ARCHELON is a beacon of hope for sea turtles in Greece's Amvrakikos Gulf. From rescuing injured turtles to monitoring their population characteristics and their migration patterns, ARCHELON's work has been contributing to the survival of these protected animals for the last 20 years.
- OUR NEWS09/09/2024
Educational Programs 2024-2025: Inspire the Next Generation of Conservationists with ARCHELON!
Last year, 15,000 students arrived at the Rescue Centre and were fascinated by the wonders of sea turtle conservation.
- OUR NEWS02/09/2024
LIFE MareNatura Marine Conservation School: ARCHELON and NECCA train staff to protect sea turtles
This pioneer Training Seminar titled "Management and protection of the Caretta caretta and Chelonia mydas species" was designed with the aim of transferring special and necessary knowledge for the protection of the sea turtles from the competent bodies.
- OUR NEWS30/08/2024
Local Resort leads the way in protecting Zakynthos' sea turtles
In the summer of 2023, Domes Aulus Zante, Autograph Collection Resort stepped forward to support ARCHELON's mission adopting 70 turtle nests!