First Turtle Rescue!!
Trip Start
May 11, 2004
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Trip End
Jul 28, 2004
HI all! WEll, the last day I wrote we had been in Kyparissia to set up an information kiosk in the square, and then later that evening came back and went to the fortress on the hill. Then 9 of us, all from different countries ate souvlaki and drank beer in a restaurant. The next day we found a dead turtle on the beach in the morning during the morning survey. That night I went to the local taverna with a few others to watch a the soccer game between Portugal and Monaco. The next day however, on our morning survey Kylie spotted a turtle trapped in a fisherman's net. She ran up to where Kathy and I were in our section of the beach and we ran to the site. Kathy and her went out about 15 meters where teh turtle was trapped and tried to free her with a knife. However each time they tried she dove deeper. So, I went in as well and we pulled the net to shore ( quite a tug of war with a 100 kilo turtle attached. When we got to her to shore (she must have been about 50 years old, she was pretty big) we tried to cut more of the net off her front right flipper but it was tied very tightly and was cutting her deeply. It looked to be an old wound as well in the same place as there was a different coloured line in there as well. She was so exhauted, she hardly struggled. If she wanted to go, there would have been nothing stopping her with her muscular body. However Kathy and I just held on to her at the shore covering her eyes to keep her calm and making sure our fingers weren't near her mouth in fear of being biten and losing a finger. Kylie went and brought the vehicle closer, and Alex and Judy arrived from tehir srvey to help us carry her to the car on top of two t-shit (off our backs)covered crates that we use to cover any nests we find to protect them from dogs digging down and eating the eggs. The fisherman came in and pulled in theri nets. THey didn't say anyhting just continued on teh way. WE were afraid they might get angry at us for having to cut the nets a bit (thought they were mostly torn from the turtle) But, they said nothing, probably a good sign. Many fisherman in Greece hit turtle s over the head if they find tehm in the nest. Many injured turtles, or dead ones are found this way. However to some fisherman and to many people turtles are very importnat because of mythology. Anyhow, she had to be sent to the rescue center in Athens because of her injuries. The only train that could take her was not until the evening at 5:30 from Pyrgos. So, we built a crate and covered it with wet towels and tried ot keep her wet and cool until it was time to send her off. WE were first told we could send her from Kalo Nero at 4:30, but when we got htere the man in charge said that it would be too hard to transfer her to the other train in pyrgos, so we would have to drive there. The train passed us, as we got in the car, so it was a race against the clock to get there. But, thankfully the train stops at each village along the way, so we got their first. Everyone was so helpful and curious at Pyrgos. Alicia ( nmaed her after alicia from Saskatoon who requested a turtle be name dafter her) was safely on her way at 5:30. The last two days there still have been no nests found, however thismorning a few turtles were spotted off the shore (close enought to see their bodies) popping their heads in and out towards shore. So, hopefully they'll come in tonight, and we'll find our first nests tomorrow. Anyhow, runnign out of time. HAve been eating well, I can count to 10 now, and can get by with the few words I know. Love you all, and talk to you all again soon!
