C.4 – Captive breeding population of Emys orbicularis and reinforcements on riverbanks of the river Ter
The production of juveniles of European Pond Turtle (Emys orbicularis) will be held at Turtle Breeding Centre (CRT) of the Associació d’Amics de la Tortuga de l’Albera (ATA), located in Garriguella. Until 2014, only juvenile production was around 25-30 individuals per year, and it was not possible the separation of the individuals according to their degree of kinship, as would be necessary in order to avoid future problems of inbreeding. In fact, the facilities had several drawbacks and limitations that compromised the annual production of juveniles. Therefore, it is planned to improve the conditions with the expansion and improvement of its current facility of the CRT. This expansion will consist of several improvements for adults and breeding animals, and for the maintenance and growing of juveniles of different ages.
With this expansion and upgrading is expected to double the production of youth coming in the short term to 50-60 individuals per year. In the framework of the project is expected to release a minimum of 150 individuals during its execution. The release will take place at the newly small marshes and lagoons in the banks of the River Ter (Action C3). The specimens released will be monitored, mainly through radio tracking.
EXPECTED RESULTS
We expect to achieve the establishment of two new stable populations of European Pond Turtle in the rivers Ter and Llémena. In the medium term, it is likely that these populations are enabling the emergence of the species in other areas of the lower course of the river Ter.
