An act of environmental sensitivity and ecological significance.

A female Caretta caretta loggerhead sea turtle that was found seriously injured in Rethymno, on the island of Crete, was returned on Thursday August 9, 2012 to her natural environment on the beach of Hotel Aquila Rithymna Beach.

The Caretta Caretta loggered sea turtle was released back into the waters of the Cretan gulf. The injured turtle was rescued by members of the Coast Guard and Sea Turtle Protection Society Archelon.

Transferred to a special care center, the turtle was given the necessary care before returning to her natural environment.

The event was organized by the General Director of the hotel and by the President of the Department of Tourism in the Municipality of Rethymno, Ms Pepi Birliraki-Mamalakis.

This effort was crowned with success, and certainly the organizers deserve congratulations for the excellent act of environmental sensitivity. Ms. Birliraki showed her deep interest in the development of environmental awareness in Rethymno in order to preserve the Cretan natural heritage.

The Municipality of Rethymno supports many kind of public, private or voluntary initiative and action to protect the natural environment and help to protect the species in extinction, such as the Caretta caretta, that has been classified as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.