archelon

Since 1983, Archelon, the Sea Turtle Protection Society protects the sea turtles and their habitats in Greece through monitoring and research, developing and implementing management plans, habitat restoration, raising public awareness and rehabiliting sick and injured turtles. Among 8 species in the world, only three can be regularly found in the Mediterranean (loggerheads - Caretta caretta, green turtles - Chelonia mydas and leatherbacks - Dermochelys coriacea). Of these three only the loggerhead sea turtle nests in Greece.The summer projects allow the daily monitoring of the major nesting areas in Zakynthos (Bay of Laganas) in Peloponnesus (Bays of Kyparissia, Lakonikos and Koroni), and in Crete (Rethymno, Bays of Chania and Messara).  

It consists on the recording of the everyday reproductive activity. During the morning survey and night survey, the volunteers realize the following tasks : protection of the nests (against human treats, predation, sea inundation), excavations, tagging of the turtles and also public awareness (Seasonal Information Kiosks, beach patrols, slideshows to make sensitive the tourists).
Since 1994, the main objective of the Rescue Center, located in Glyfada close to Athens, is to rehabilitate the sick and injured turtles trough medical treatment, stranding network and public awareness.
Every year more than 500 volunteers participate and help with the work on the nesting beaches and the Rescue Center.