Heidi's friend Rania and her husband Thomas are both since long committed to the protection of sea turtles in Greece. The NGO "Archelon" - Thomas is founding member - protects since 1983 sea turtles and their habitats in Greece.
One key element is the operation of the Rescue Center for injured and sick sea turtles in Glyfada (Athens) which we visited. To there, turtles are sent through an rescue network along the Greek coastline where they can recover or recieve the necessary surgery. We learned that many fishermen hurt seaturtles by hitting them on the head, cutting the throat or the eyes when they are trapped in fishnets. Because they think they reduce the fish catch! The other threat is plastics....We also learned that, thankfully, in many cases the turtles can recover after the professional surgery they recieve in the rescue centre, and those can be released again. But sadly enough, one "patient", Sofia, actually came back a second time.....
Archelon not only runs the rescue centre to rehabilitate sick and injured turtles but also contributes to their protection by monitoring and research with tagging and satellite transmitters, by developing and implementing management plans, habitat restoration, and raising public awareness.
Their conservation efforts rely heavily on voluntary participations and contributions to the projects. Every year over 500 volunteers from all over the world join the projects for the conservation of nesting beaches and the operation of the Rescue Centre.
We were really impressed to see how much can be done with (relatively) few funds but loads of good energy and many motivated people!
You can learn more at https://www.archelon.gr/index_eng.php
Raising awareness
Surgery
Recovery zone
Feeding of an severely injured sea turtle