Description
The project addresses the challenges faced by tortoises in Bulgaria. The project aims at improving the status of tortoises bred in captivity by relocating them to a new habitat. First, a large-scale information campaign will be launched. 15 volunteers will be selected and trained to help with the relocation. Second, the applicant will prepare for the relocation of a large number of tortoises into their new habitat near the village of Trilistnik, Plovdiv. Each tortoise will be identified and its vital signs will be measured. In addition, temporary fencing will be mounted to ensure their initial survival. Third, the tortoises will be relocated, released into the wild and monitored. Finally, the outcome will be presented in a guide and a documentary and disseminated among the public. The project will benefit the tortoises, the people involved and the public in general. The partner will support the project with its professional and technical expertise.
Summary of project results
Due to lack of sufficient information about tortoises, the population of the two tortoise species common in Bulgaria is under constant negative anthropogenic impact. The project aimed at improving the environmental status of tortoises through their resettlement in priority habitats and through the prevention of human impact. The project helped translocate and resettle more than 260 tortoises from the two common species and the follow-up monitoring showed that they managed to adapt to the new conditions. The new populations established will continue to be monitored after the project end, i.e. it is expected that they will breed and stabilize their population. Apart from the direct positive impact on populations, the enhanced information campaign also reached many members of the target groups by raising their awareness of the issue and changing their attitude to the two tortoise species for the better. Information materials were prepared and disseminated about the project and the status of tortoises in the country (1100 copies). In addition, a documentary about tortoises and the project was created which reached many people and which has been used in some higher education establishments as an additional material to the curriculum. A methodology for the use of good practices for tortoise translocation was developed under the project. The good practices were presented in a guide (100 printed copies and an online version), which was disseminated and benefitted a broad circle of experts and stakeholders planning activities that have impact on the environment. Local communities were the main target group. They were actively involved in the project and the representatives of the hunting holding where the tortoises were relocated were trained. The local communities were also the main target group of the information campaign; a number of presentations on tortoises were delivered in the area and pupils from primary and elementary schools were involved in the project. 15 volunteers were involved. The partner organization, Gea Chelonia Foundation, with the expertise of its members, helped carry out many of the specific project activities such as disinfestation, tagging and providing individual characteristics, accommodation of the tortoises unfit for release into the wild, etc., an information campaign and the products developed.
Summary of bilateral results