HOW TO HELP

If you find an injured or dead sea turtle or a nest

If you find an injured sea turtle

1. Call ARCHELON-Rescue Network at +30 210 8944444 or +30 6941511511
2. Move the turtle to a SAFE PLACE far away from people and noise.
   1. Turtles should always be picked up the shell, and never by the fins or the head.
   2. If the turtle is large and requires two people to move it, one should take hold of the shell just behind the turtle's neck and the other at the part of the shell close to the tail.
   3. Handle the turtle carefully and gently, being careful that their fins do not fold, bend or twist backwards or underneath the body.
3. Make sure that the turtle is in a safe and restricted area, away from wind and drafts.
   1. During the summer months, the injured area should be covered with a damp cloth
   2. The temperature in the area where the turtle is kept should not fall below 15°C.
   3. It isn't necessary for the turtle to be kept in water. However, when the turtle has a head injury or is exhausted, it SHOULD NOT BE KEPT IN WATER AT ALL because it may choke or drown.
4. If the turtle is tangled up in a net or lines, they should be carefully removed.
   UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD AN ATTEMPT BE MADE TO PULL OUT A HOOK OR LINE PROTRUDING FROM THE MOUTH OR TAIL.
5. Check all the flipper for possible identification tags and note the number if you find one
6. ARCHELON will send you a Turtle Incident Report form which should be carefully filled out and returned to us by email: rescue@archelon.gr. This information will not only help this particular turtle, but all the other turtles as well.

If you find a dead sea turtle

NOTE: All turtles should be handled carefully. It is possible that a turtle may appear to be dead, but in fact is simply in a state of hibernation, especially during the cold months.

1. If the turtle is dead, it should be brought onto the land, and both the local Coast Guard (see the inventory of Coastal Guard stations) and ARCHELON -Rescue Network at +30 210 8944444 or +30 6941511511 should be notified.
2. A local veterinary official should be called in to certify the death and the cause of death. 
   If there is none in the area, notify an available local veterinarian or the Coast Guard.
3. If the dead turtle was tagged, the tag should be removed and sent to ARCHELON, Solomou 57, 104 32 ATHENS, tel: +30 210 5231342.
4. It would also greatly help ARCHELON if a photo of the dead turtle, including its injury, was taken and sent to rescue@archelon.gr.
5. ARCHELON will send you a Turtle Incident Report form, which should be filled out and returned to us by email or post.
6. Notify local authorities so that the turtle will be properly and legally buried.

If you find a nest or hatchlings

Contact ARCHELON on +30 6941 511 511 or email: rescue.archelon@gmail.com, to receive appropriate / necessary instructions on how you can help!

The sporadic appearance of single sea turtle nests in various parts of Greece is common due to the country's extensive coastline. Each nest can be important for the survival of sea turtles in relation to climate change. That is why the information you have is valuable for ARCHELON and especially for the future of sea turtles.

Traces on the sand

In case that there are no human activities on the beach that pose a threat to the nest, no other action is needed. One should avoid placing umbrellas and sun beds near this point.

In case that there are human activities on the beach that pose a threat to the nest, such as beach bars, umbrellas and sunbeds, the Coast Guard must be informed before proceeding to any protective measures (e.g. informing other people, fencing around possible nest, shading for hatchlings).

Hatchlings on the beach

One should not touch or transport hatchlings to the sea because it is absolutely necessary for them to reach the sea with their own strength. If you see hatchlings coming out of the nests in daylight, make a corridor in the sand and shield them from the sun, shading them until they enter the sea! Again, the Coast Guard must be informed before proceeding to any protective measures (e.g. informing other people, fencing around possible nest, shading for hatchlings).