Newsroom
Children squealed with delight, and adults looked on with smiles as Pieros, a rescued green sea turtle, was gently released back into the sea on Thursday, capping off a feel-good moment along the Larnaca coast.
The special event was organized by the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research and held near the Thalassa Museum, drawing young fans of marine life who had followed Pieros’ journey back to health. The big green turtle had been recovering at the Sea Turtle Care Centre in Meneou after being found in late June, exhausted and struggling to stay buoyant.
Now fully recovered, Pieros proved he was ready to head back into the wild, strong, steady, and able to dive and feed on his own again.
"This is where he belongs," said one of the caretakers, just before Pieros disappeared beneath the waves, cheered on by children and their chaperones.
But the release wasn’t just about saying goodbye. It was also part of a wider effort to educate and inspire. The event was held under the LIFE ADAPTS project, an international program aimed at protecting sea turtles and the Mediterranean monk seal from the growing threats of climate change.
Kids (and grownups) got a hands-on look at the tools being used to help marine wildlife, from drones and camera traps to citizen science projects involving divers and volunteers. Even 11 visiting teachers from EU countries were on hand to learn more about Cyprus’s marine conservation efforts.
As the crowd watched Pieros swim off into the blue, the message was clear: with a little care and a lot of heart, we can help nature bounce back.
