This summer marks the10^th anniversary of Stephania’s arrival at Aquaworld. As a very young, three-kilo green turtle she had been through tough times and had to be treated at the Glyfada rescue centre run by Archelon, the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece.

There the excellent treatment she received restored her to full health apart from damage done to her eyesight by uncaring children. Given that the Archelon centre had very limited space and that Stephania was declared legally “unreleasable”, what was to be done with her?

By this time Aquaworld was celebrating its 5^th birthday and had assisted Archelon in a number of sea-turtle rescues. The trust that this relationship had forged led Archelon to ask us to give Stephania a caring home and she has been with us every since.

Although it is sad that she can never ultimately be released, she has won the hearts of countless visitors over those ten years here in Hersonissos - children in particular revelling in the opportunity of getting so close to such a noble creature.

For those of you who haven’t yet met her, why not come along one morning at 10.30 when we hand feed her?

It has been one of Aquaworld’s aims over the last 15 years to encourage care for our marine environment and its inhabitants. For the last 10 years of that time Stephania has been the ambassador of that endeavour. May she continue to do so for many years to come!