We first received the joyful news from ARCHELON volunteers in both Laganas bay, Zakynthos and Kyparissia bay on the 18th of July. Then, on the 24th of July, the Messara bay project reported the first hatchlings on Crete. Two days later, on the 26th of July there were traces of hatchlings on Mavrovouni beach, Lakonikos bay in south Peloponnese. There are daily counts of hatchlings in most projects by now and we are escalating our efforts to minimize their disorientation due to artificial lights on the beaches.

Last May saw the completion of the LIFE EUROTURTLES project, which was implemented in 6 countries of the European Union (Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta, Slovenia) by 9 participating organizations, including ARCHELON. More than 7 million EU citizens were informed about the actions and goals of the project. See more…

There are still vacancies for volunteers in this year's projects. See the 7 sites where you can monitor and protect sea turtle nests as well as participate in public awareness activities. Learn about the Sea Turtle Rescue Center in Glyfada, Attica, where you can help treat injured turtles and carry out environmental education and public awareness activities.

About 400 school children and their teachers responded to our #turtlechallenge4 with the theme “hatchlings in danger”. The material they submitted will be used for communication purposes this coming nesting season. See more…..

On February 23 we organized two online events, one in Greek and one in English, where the results of the 2021 projects were presented. At the end of both events, we heard the names of people who gave significant help, a bit more that what was expected of them. These are the ARCHELON Over and Above awards for 2021.

On the first weekend of July, two sea turtles were found fatally hit by a propeller in the bay of Laganas, Zakynthos. The ARCHELON team that records the reproductive activity of loggerhead sea turtles in Zakynthos for the 38th year despite the pandemic, was notified and recorded the necessary data in collaboration with the National Marine Park of Zakynthos Management Body.
 

A special guest in the moving moments of this double release was the Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy Mr. George Amyras, who helped transport the turtles to the sea together with the experienced team of the Rescue Centre. Also present, were the President of ARCHELON Mr. Thomas Arapis, as well as staff members, volunteers and members of the Board of the organization.
 

The first nest was recorded in Messara bay on May 25. In the meantime, the researchers of ARCHELON have already located and protected 28 nests in the beaches of Rethymno, 24 nests in Chania and 21 in Messara.
However, an unusual incident happened which really took us by surprise! Read more...

Did the pandemic's experience bring people closer to the sufferings of wildlife. This is happening at the Sea Turtle Rescue Center of ARCHELON in Glyfada, Attica.

World Environment Day, June 5th, 2021
Τhirty-one (31) organizations and bodies for the protection of the natural environment in Greece unite our voice with people around the world who call for action before it is too late, and express our deep concern about what is happening in our country. Read more...