Today's World Sea Turtle Day finds all 40 tanks of ARCHELON in Glyfada occupied by injured and sick turtles earlier than has been observed in previous years. "We hope that no more injured turtles will arrive in the next few days. That is, at least until we release the first two, which have recovered, back to the sea," said Eirini Kasimati, the Rescue and Rehabilitation Officer.

What brings the turtles to the Rescue Center? Once again it is confirmed that the main reasons for their introduction correspond to the greatest threats facing the 7 species of sea turtles that live on the planet. The accidental capture of sea turtles in fishing gear along with ocean pollution and plastic result in the death of large numbers of turtles in all seas of the world, including the Mediterranean.

See all species of sea turtles and the main threats they are facing in the tribute «from World Ocean Day to World Sea Turtle Day» here.

Of the 40 turtles currently being treated at the Rescue Center, 19 have injuries to their flippers from entanglement in nets or have swallowed hooks and plastics. Moreover, 18 out of 40 bear head, eyes or shell injuries from deliberate hits, according to the data of Eirini.

See in detail the percentages in each category in the graph2.

However, the increased number of admissions up to June this year may not reflect an increase of human impacts on the marine environment. “We think it shows mainly a spontaneous response by more citizens, who hurried to collect the animals from the beach or the sea and arranged their transportation to the Rescue Center” said Dimitris Fytilis, the Rescue Center Officer. More than 1000 people contacted ARCHELON in 2020 in order to help injured turtles and nests or hatchlings, as well as to report dead turtles stranded on the shore. (You can see the numbers of admitted turtles in the last 5 years here).

Perhaps the hurdles of the pandemic have brought people closer to the suffering of wildlife, the environmental challenges and climate change. This thought strikes a note of optimism for the World Sea Turtle Day.

"Humans and turtles, we can all live together" is our motto. The Sea Turtle Rescue Center of ARCHELON has been operating since 1994. Through the story of each turtle and our scientific research, we demonstrate to thousands of students and other visitors the problems that humans create at sea and on the coasts and ways to deal with them.

This year the individual donations made so far and the personal support of the volunteers are not enough to keep the Centre running. We urgently need the support of the State and your help in order to continue the rescue and treatment of sea turtles and the educational activities for the environment.

You can make a donation or “adoption” of a sea turtle on the website of ARCHELON www.archelon.gr.

For more information contact:

Eirini Kasimati, Rescue & Rehabilitation Officer, Tel: 0030 6941 511 511, e-mail: rescue@archelon.gr.

Dimitris Fytilis, Rescue Centre Officer, Tel. 0030 210 8982 600, 0030 6944 929 622, e-mail: rc.officer@archelon.gr.