| A “peek” through our activities... - 29/05/2012 |
Our volunteer Joanne Stournara updates us on news through our activities during the week between 18th and 24th May 2012.
The ARCHELON summer field projects officially started on 15th May 2012 and we have expanded the scope of this report to include their news as well as the Rescue Centre News each week.
ARCHELON FIELD PROJECTS
Kyparissia
So far, a few volunteers have arrived and set up the field camp while expecting to discover the first nests of the season.
Zakynthos
The field camp has been set up, the mating season has begun, and the first 2012 nest has been located and recorded (for details, see the separate article on this website). Unfortunately, they reported finding a stranded turtle washed up on the beach.
SEA TURTLE RESCUE CENTRE
This week was a happy one. Read on to find out why.
Turtle update
“Apostolis”, the Green Turtle who had been found with a plastic bag around his head, is showing signs of improvement. The goods news is that his eyes, which were swollen tightly shut for some time, have finally opened, and it is possible that he can see to at least some degree. He is receiving treatment and, although he is still very weak, is growing stronger. You can see a photo of Apostolis and read more about him here: http://www.archelon.gr/eng/pedio_xelones.php?ttid=102&row=row5
Releases
 With the help of the local port police, “Thanassis” was transported to a safe location offshore and released back into the sea. “Thanassis” had arrived at the RC in February 2012 from Marmara with an eye injury. Fortunately, he responded well to treatment and was able to be released in a relatively short period of time. Many thanks to the port police team for their valuable help and support throughout the year.
On World Turtle Day, 23rd May 2012, “Leonidas”, was released from Legrena Beach. “Leonidas” was accompanied to the release site by RC volunteers, some members of the American Community School of Athens’ Turtle Club and their parental escort, and a local freelance journalist and his family. “Leonidas” had been found in Thessaloniki on 22nd February 2012 by a member of the Hellenic Wildlife Hospital and sent to the Rescue Center. He had no visible injuries and had not ingested any fish hooks, so it seemed he was suffering from hypothermia. At first he could not eat by himself and had to be tube-fed, but slowly he began to get stronger and to eat on his own.
 As soon as he was placed on the beach, “Leonidas” headed straight for the sea without hesitation, quickly dove beneath the waves, and was home again! You can see photos of the release at: http://www.newsbeast.gr/environment/arthro/356370/epestrepse-sti-thalassa-o-leonidas-/
RC Volunteer Janessa reminded us of the US Coast Guard’s traditional farewell wish for good luck: “Fair winds and following seas”. We all wish the two turtles those things – as well as a life far away from fishing hooks, nets, and boats!
Other news
On 20th May 2012, RC Coordinator Pavlos Tsaros presented ARCHELON’s work at the 1st Annual Conference organized by the Wildlife Rehabilitation Team of the Aristotle University Veterinary School in Thessaloniki. In addition to ARCHELON, Arcturos, Anima, MOm and Orion also participated. The Conference provided the valuable opportunity for these non-profit, non-governmental groups to discuss ways of collaborating and sharing information both among themselves and with the University.
A great presentation of ARCHELON and the Rescue Centre was broadcasted on the Greek TV show “With love” («Με αγάπη») with Marie Kyriakou. If you’d like to see it, here is the link:
http://www.antenna.gr/webtv/watch?cid=_k_c_j%24_o_g5_i_iy_e%3d
Last but not least, everyone is busy preparing for the special event celebrating World Turtle Day on Sunday, 27 May 2012 (see the separate article on this website for details).
Did you know...
 As of 30th April 2012, 115 dead sea turtles were recorded in Greece. This number is higher than the number for the same period last year. As of this writing, we have already had 29 turtles at the RC, which is a large number for this early in the year and several more turtles than we had last year during the same period. This high number of fatalities, combined with the continued destruction of nesting beaches by both natural and human agents, spotlights the great danger which sea turtles are in.
 Joanne Stournara
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