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Earth Sea & Sky
ESS Appeal

 

Volunteer with injured sea turtle, Glyfada, Athens The Southerly beaches of Zakynthos host the single most important concentration of sea turtle nesting sites in the Mediterranean, with a yearly average of 1300 nests. The ever increasing number of tourists visiting the islands each year is placing these nesting sites, and other wildlife natural habitats of the Ionian, under immense pressure. Habitats such as that of the critically endangered Monk Seal, which relies on the continuing availability of secluded coastal caves to breed and rear its young. We need your help to safeguard the future of these unique habitats and to ensure the survival of some of the worlds most endangered wildlife species. We need your help to organise and fund volunteer programmes, important research and to assist with natural habitat and environmental management projects in general. An increasing number of rare sea turtles are injured each year, in the sea around Zakynthos, through boating accidents, fishing net entanglement and ingestion of discarded rubbish, (see photo evidence) Yet the nearest rescue facility is more than an hours flight away. During the 2000 season the number of turtles reported injured in the bay gave cause for concern. Even more worrying is how many turtles go un reported each year. We hope to ease suffering and reduce fatalities in the future by encouraging the early reporting of injured turtles, and encouraging co-operation with local fishing communities and pleasure boats.   Stranded Sea Turtles reported in Zakynthos 2004 Number of turtles reported found 8 Number of fatalities 7 - washed up dead, cause of death unknown. One otherwise healthy male was proved to have drowned after entanglement with a pedalo buoy rope. Number of injured 1 - One female in particular had deep cuts to her shell from a boat propeller. She was found during nesting with the back piece of her shell almost falling off, and volunteers had to hold it in place while she finished laying her eggs. She was flown to Athens where she received emergency treatment and is now recovering. Number under treatment in Athens 1 - Propeller Injury   WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT Help us to establish a quick and reliable rescue network for stranded and injured sea turtles on the island of Zakynthos. Help us to provide first aid help, specialist medical supplies, veterinary staff and rescue boat, to minimise suffering and reduce the number of unnecessary turtle fatalities. Help us to promote awareness ,and devise conservation activities to protect Ionian wildlife, and natural habitat. Help us to protect the nesting sites of the Ionian and encourage the future survival of sea turtles in the wild.