Exciting news for nature enthusiasts and conservationists alike!
Not only one, but two species of sea turtles are now confirmed to nest on Rhodes!
We are thrilled to announce the publication of our groundbreaking research on the first recorded green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) nest along the coast of Rhodes. Until now, we only knew that the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) nested on our shores. However, as part of a comprehensive monitoring and recording project carried out in the summer of 2024 by the scientific team of the Rhodes Aquarium – Hydrobiological Station – HCMR (Hellenic Centre for Marine Research), in collaboration with the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece (Archelon), we are proud to report the first-ever discovery of a green sea turtle nest in South Rhodes!
You can read our full publication here: Research Gate «The first Green Turtle nest documented in Rhodes Island, Greece»
Historically, green turtle nesting has been limited to the easternmost part of the Mediterranean, along the coast of Turkey. Beyond this, there have only been two records in Tunisia and Libya. In Greece, the only confirmed sightings of green turtle nesting were in Crete, in 2007 and 2019. Recent findings suggest that green turtle nesting areas are gradually expanding westward in the Mediterranean, likely due to rising sea temperatures.
A heartfelt thank you goes to Ms. Aspasia Koupadi for her invaluable contribution to this important discovery!
A Friendly Reminder:
- If you spot a turtle coming ashore to nest (typically at night), please observe from a safe distance. Do not disturb the animal and never use flash photography or flashlights.
- If you see baby turtles emerging from the nest, do not touch them, or carry them to the water. You must not stand on their way to the sea.
- In any case, please immediately report the sighting to the Hydrobiological Station of Rhodes – Aquarium and «ARCHELON» for proper recording of the case and protection of the nest and hatchlings.
- If you encounter a dead or injured turtle, kindly follow the same protocol and inform the relevant authorities.
- Remember, sea turtles are protected species under international conventions, and every observation is valuable for conservation efforts!
Thank you for your cooperation in protecting these incredible creatures!
