Wildlife Conservation in Crete
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Wildlife conservation in Crete starts with knowledge of the ecology and diversity of the island. Our nature pages cover a great deal about the island’s natural history.
A visit to the Natural History Museum of Crete in Heraklion will show the world of Cretan nature.
A trip to Cretaquarium will delight adults and children alike, opening up the world of the sea.
Here we look at some of the rare and endangered fauna one-by-one, and organisations and projects which you can support.
The Mediterreanean Monk Seal Monachus monachus is Europe’s most endangered marine mammal and the rarest seal species in our oceans worldwide.
Wildlife to Watch
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Monk Seal Monachus monachus |
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Leatherback Turtle Dermochelys coriacea |
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Green Turtle Chelonia mydas |
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Loggerhead Turtle Caretta caretta |
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Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus |
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Eleonora's Falcon Falco eleonorae |
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Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus |
 | Striped Dolphins Stenella coeruleoalba |
 | Kri Kri Cretan Wild Goat Capra aegagrus creticus |
 | Cretan Spiny Mouse
Acomys minous is vulnerable and is on the ICU |
Conservation in Crete - Action
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Archelon - the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece |
archelon.gr |
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Pelagos Cetacean Research Institute |
pelagosinstitute.gr |
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Wildlife Fund Greece |
wwf.gr |
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The Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk Seal |
mom.gr |
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The Monachus Guardian |
monachus-guardian.org |
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The Mediterranean Association to Save the Sea Turtles |
medasset.org |
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The Pan-Cretan Network of Environmental Non-Governmental Organisations, named Eco Crete
is the coordinating body of ten environmental NGOs in Crete. It has been established since 2004. |
ecocrete.gr |
Turtle Conservation
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The Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta) nest along Crete's coastlines. There are three project sites run each year by Archelon to help conserve this species. Volunteers can join in one of the locations on Crete between 15 May and 10 October each summer.
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Please consider what you might do to contribute to protecting some of Crete's unique animal species, have a look at the websites of these organisations. Of course each one is dependant on the healthy ecology of the island of Crete, her waterways and her seas.
What Can I Do?
DO
- inform yourself about turtles in Crete
- ask your host if there are turtles breeding on your beach
- turn lights off at night if you are in a hotel on the beach
- get involved in a turtle conservation project for your next vacation
DON'T
- go to the beach at night
- use lights on the beach
- buy products made of turtle
- leave rubbish on the beach or in the water
- leave your sunchairs or other equipment on the beach at night
See the work below by Medasset for cleaner waters and beaches of Greece and the Mediterranean.
Remember - turtles cannot tell the difference between their food and plastic bags! This video shows you their point of view.
If you have a ecological issue or project in Crete, or a concern for conservation in Crete, please let us know on our Contact Form. We would love to hear from you.
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