Project Update: January 2009

Starting in May 2008 we started some of the activities funded by this grant. We managed to evaluate the species' conservation status, using the IUCN and NatureServe systems. This is the first national evaluation, showing that the species is Endangered B1a,b(i,ii,iii). The analysis was prepared for publication in a national scientific journal, and press releases were prepared. We are preparing information accessible to the large audience that will be posted on the internet.

The assessment of habitat occupancy presented good results using novel equipment (http://www.telemetrysolutions.com/customer-testimonials.php)

Starting this winter, we are deploying an educational campaign in schools within the tortoises' range, until now having half of the scheduled meetings. The project's webpage was updated with complete information on the tortoises. It is visible and used, having from July 2008 625 unique visits. We received four requests for reintroducing abandoned tortoises outside the area, which came following information available on the webpage.