Sergey Drobenkov
Saving of Abundant Nesting Assemblies of the European Pond Turtle in Belarus: Creation of the Reserve Network and the National Conservation Plan Development
Nest building by the female at the end of May.
Hatchlings of the pond turtle in the communal nesting habitat.
European pond turtle is only one autochthonic species of freshwater turtles in Europe.
Collective egg-laying site play the part of reproductive centre of the turtle micro population.
| Town/Region | Country | Categories | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polesye | Belarus | Europe, Marine, Turtles | 27 Sep 2010 |
The European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) is the only freshwater turtle in the most part of Europe, a rare threatened species included in Red Book of IUCN (LR:nt category) and list of endangered animals of many countries. In south Belarus, in extreme environments, the unusual phenomenon, mass nesting aggregations of the females, was detected. Breeding habitats are reproductive centers of local populations and play the important role in their recruitment. Such phenomenon is very similar to social behavior of big sea turtles («the arribada»). Breeding habitat distribution, reasons of an origin of nest-site fidelity, mechanisms of turtle navigation during migration are not clear. Any protection actions not were conducted.
The expected results of conservation work:
1) 5-9 largest nesting habitats of the European pond turtle, where not less than 40-50 females lay the eggs, in divers river basins and regions, will be reserved. This measure will enable to preserve an uncommon phenomenon (arribada) and several viable belarusian populations;
2) For the first time in Belarus the National plan of this chelonian conservation, including results of the current population status estimation, map of micro reserves distribution with their detailed description, effective measures of population management and recovery in protected and unprotected areas, will be developed;
3) 4-5 initiative commands of natives will continue the protection and monitoring of nesting aggregations and habitats in key areas. These teams may be used in the ecotourism, for showing of the wonderful phenomenon, collective nesting of freshwater turtle in the south taiga zone;
4) We will test different approaches for protection of the clutches and communal terrestrial habitats against predators. These results will be extended among conservationists of surrounding countries;
5) Special Website on the European pond turtle and arribada in Belarus will be made (distribution, life history, ecological features, photo and video);
6) Two environmental films about our Rufford Small Grant Foundation projects and management actions in the National park "Pripyatsky" will be made and shown in the First National Channel of TV;
7) Colored poster regarding the conservation problems of the turtle (500 copies) will be designed and distributed in schools, State institutions, among staff of the forest department, locals, fishermen, tourists;
8) GIS technology will be used for nesting habitat searching (selection of favorable sites using space photos and their next field control);
9) Attention of the public and nature protection organizations to conservation problems of the turtle will be attracted.
Read about Sergey's previous wotk with pond turtles http://www.ruffordsmallgrants.org/rsg/projects/sergey_drobenkov_0 or for more information contact Bel_gerpetology@rambler.ru