The BIOPARC Foundation, in collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment through the El Palmar Aquaculture Center, has completed a new cycle of the European pond turtle conservation project (orbicularis emys), a species listed as endangered.
After months of intense care in thes facilities of the BIOPARC of Valencia and the Gijón Aquarium, a group of specimens has been reintroduced into its natural habitat in the protected area of the Marjal dels Moros. The participation of the BIOPARC Foundation at the Conservation Program for the European pond turtle in the Valencian Community, It began in September of last year with the collection of 40 newborns at the El Palmar Aquaculture Center, where they were born under the supervision of the Ministry.
From that moment until they can be reintroduced into the natural environment, small tortoises remain in the indoor facilities of BIOPARC Valencia, especially reconditioned to ensure their survival in the early stages of life, a critical period in nature due to high pressure from predators such as birds, fish and even mammals.
Upon arrival at BIOPARC Valencia, the newborns are identified and separated by size for individualized monitoring.
During the first months remain in Indoor aquariums with controlled temperature and specific feeding, which allows them to avoid hibernation and thus grow rapidly. Once reached a larger size, your new home is a outdoor area that has also been designed and recently renovated specifically for the well-being of this species, simulating its original ecosystems.
In this sense, they live in a deeper adaptation pond. There, the technical staff in charge of their care offer them different types of food similar to what they would find in nature, such as crickets, mosquito and dragonfly larvae, fish, tadpoles, and other invertebrates.
La BIOPARC Foundation, committed to the preservation of native biodiversity and given the degree of threat to the European pond turtle, it has strengthened this important Conservation Program with the support of the excellent facilities of BIOPARC Gijón AquariumThe professional team has received and cared for ten specimens, thus increasing the capacity to have more individuals available for repopulation. Once the minimum shell size of 8 cm and a weight of about 80 g, turtles can return to the natural environment without fear of predators.
On the other hand, in addition to the maintenance tasks and the reintroduction of this species, the staff of BIOPARC Valencia, together with the Ministry of the Environment, has participated in the monitoring the European pond turtle in different natural areas of the Valencian Community. As well as in the capture and removal of invasive alien species, mainly the American crab and various species of aquatic turtles that have a negative impact on the native fauna.
The most emotional part of this project took place last June when, accompanied by participants from the BIOPARC Valencia Summer SchoolThe first 18 specimens were released in the Marjal dels Moros, located between Sagunto and Puçol.
Specialized personnel weighed, measured and microchipped these turtles for monitoring. These actions allow us to delve deeper into the outreach and education objectives of younger people, as well as raising awareness in society about the need for Protect the environment.
This week, the process continued with seven more turtles that were not yet the optimal size to survive in the wild.
In parallel, we have collaborated with the review of new nests to begin the next season of the project and increase the survival rate of the species.
The European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) is a semi-aquatic turtle native to the Valencian Community whose populations have been seen seriously diminished in recent decades by the habitat loss, and competition from invasive species. The collaboration The BIOPARC Foundation and the Ministry of the Environment are combining efforts and resources. bringing hope for recuperación of this endangered species.
