The sites form part of the European Union-wide Natura 2000 network and include the home of the rare loggerhead sea turtle caretta-caretta on the western Greek island of Zakynthos (Zante), animal protection groups said.

"The government doesn't care about environmental protection," said Lilli Venizelou, an official with the Greek chapter of the Mediterranean Association to Save the Sea Turtles (Meddaset).

According to Venizelou, Athens cut funds for the turtle site since April -- "a particularly sensitive period for its reproduction".

Speaking to AFP, Greek environment ministry official Yiannis Vournas confirmed that funds for Natura sites were blocked as Greece's new conservative government reviews spending after its March 7 election victory.

Funds will start flowing again once the review is over, Vournas pledged, rejecting Meddaset claims they were sacrificed to finance the August Athens Olympic Games.

The European Court of Justice, the court of the European Union, condemned Greece two years ago for failing to protect the turtle.

In April, the EU put Greek finances under observation because the country's public deficit exceeded limits prescribed under eurozone rules.

TERRA.WIRE