The European project LIFE Potamo Fauna "Conservation of river fauna of European interest in the Natura 2000 network in the basins of the rivers Ter and Muga" will affect the next four years in the conservation and recovery of species of aquatic fauna seriously threatened, pond turtles (Emys orbicularis) by releases of captive-bred specimens. The population reinforcements will be held in the space Natura 2000 network banks of Lower Ter (ES5120011) from next year onwards.

The production of juveniles for pond turtles will be held by the Tortoise Breeding Centre (CRT) of the Association of Amics de les Tortugues de l’Albera, in Garriguella. These facilities, however, had several drawbacks and limitations that compromised the annual production of juveniles. For example, predation by magpies or sporadic martens caused many losses each year. Now, to increase the production of quantitative and qualitative turtle pond, and also to improve the conditions of breeding adults in the center, carried out works to expand and improve the facilities. The cost of the proceedings was 38.000 euros. On July 24^th. a press conference took place in the Center, with the participation of the Mayor of Garriguella Mr. Carlos Suarez, president of the Consorci delTer Mr. Jordi Munell the Financial Coordinator of LIFE Potamia Fauna Mr. Miquel Campos and director of the Centre de Reproducció de Tortugues de l’Albera, Mr. Joan Budó.

The work involved the creation of 10 precincts of 12 m2; each have a pond within 2.5 m2 and a maximum depth of 40 centimeters. Also created 21 enclosures, 13 of similar features and 8 smaller for breeding juvenile tortoises of different ages. The spaces were adapted to terrestrial and aquatic vegetation of native species and have been decorated simulating natural habitats of the species. So far, the areas areas are separated according to their origin. With these features, juvenile production stood at 25-30 units per year, and it was not possible to make the separation of the specimens according to their degree of kinship, as would be necessary to avoid future problems of inbreeding. Now, however, with the improvements that have allow independent areas, you can identify in detail the genealogy of all juveniles obtained and kept in captivity, that information will be taken into account in the design of future expansion of operations stocks in the environment. In addition, this extension will allow to double the production of specimens of pond turtle, reaching short term 50-60 units per year. Once released, it will be posible to track them, since all are marked with a subcutaneous chip to facilitate individual identification and monitoring in the long term. Also, 10 specimens each year will be tracked through radiotraking to know their habitat and survival.

In the framework of the LIFE Potamo Fauna is expected to release a minimum of 150 individuals, 50 each year from 2015 to the Ter River. The lower basin of the River Ter is one of the last enclaves of pond turtles in Catalonia. However, the sharp decline observed over the last few decades for this species has led to a precarious situation that it suggests a spontaneous recovery of the residual population that currently holds the fragments LIC banks of the Lower Ter is almost imposible. Through this project is expected to achieve the establishment of two new stable populations of turtle pond in Lower Ter.

Tortoise Breeding Center in Albera apart from other turtle, remains the only stock of captive breeding adults turtle pond created from a few specimens of the subspecies native of northeastern Catalonia that were collected during the decade of the 80s of the twentieth century in Sils and Lower Ter.

LIFE Potamo Fauna has started this year and part of the pond turtle allow others to conserve endangered species as long naiade (Unio elongatulus), the white-footed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes), barbel (Barbus meridionalis), the snails Vertigo Vertigo moulinsiana and Vertigo angustior and the pond tortoise (Mauremys leprosa) and several amphibians. Also fight against various invasive alien species and conducted awareness campaigns and outreach on the river fauna threatened.

The project has an overall budget of EUR 1.900.262 funded 50% by the European Union. Over the four-year (2014-2017) invested 124,761 euros (6.6% of budget) recovery actions pond turtle populations in the Natura 2000 network of Girona.

LIFE Potamo Fauna executed and coordinated by the Consorci de l’Estany, with the Consorci del Ter, the Departament d’Agricultura, Ramaderia, Pesca, Alimentació i Medi Natural, Forestal Catalana, Amics de la Tortuga de l’Albera and the Universitat del País Basc, with economic help of Diputació de Girona, Ajuntament de Banyoles, Ajuntament de Porqueres, the Consorci Esportiu de l’Estany de Banyoles and Aigües de Banyoles.