Spike in vandalism at sea turtle nesting site in Kyparissia

With 2,500 nests identified since late May, the Bay of Kyparissia in the southwestern Peloponnese is, for the fourth year in a row, Greece's most important nesting site for the endangered loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta).

For the dozens of people who work tirelessly to protect the turtles and their eggs, however, this significant success is marred by the systematic destruction of nests, which is centered mainly in the area of Kalo Nero and is suspected to be related to a clash of interests with local businesses and also with prevalent opposition to measures to protect the nesting site.

But the turtles still keep coming. According to the Archelon Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece, more than 2,500 nests have been dug since May this year along a 10-kilometer stretch of the Kyparissia Bay coast.

"This is the fourth year that this area has surpassed the...