The project to reintroduce the Mediterranean turtle in the Vall Mayor de Bovera, in Les Garrigues, is growing. This year, the farm guarded by the Trenca conservation association has gone from four hectares to nine. The usual shelter has been expanded with some adjacent land.
The measure represents an important milestone to protect this threatened species, which has the support of Endesa, within its Biodiversity Conservation Plan in Catalonia, according to the electricity company.
In order not to reach a point of population saturation of the specimens on the Trenca farm, the limits of another plot have been adapted, expanding the fences to a perimeter of 1,790 linear meters, which entails the closure of an area of 9 hectares and guarantees the continuity of the project. Now, both farms are equipped with specific closures to prevent the turtles from escaping.
The new hedge is built with wooden slats from forest harvests and treated to resist inclement weather.
The pieces (two meters high and 10 centimeters wide) are separated by ten centimeters to prevent potential predators from entering the farm. The lower part of the fence has been reinforced with mesh, to prevent future turtles that are going to be released in November from leaving the perimeter.
In fact, in the last three years, the numbers in Bovera have grown by 61%, going from 105 in 2021 to 172 last year. And the census, which has also had an upward evolution, places the total number of turtles released - and still alive - at almost 300 (291).
The detection of juvenile specimens continues to increase, which shows satisfactory reproduction and shows that this is an ideal area to consolidate a viable population of this species.
The Mediterranean tortoise is an animal in danger of extinction in the Iberian Peninsula, of which it is estimated that there are only 8,500 specimens in the wild in Catalonia.
The objective of the project is the creation of a refuge for the Mediterranean turtle to, together with other similar programs, increase in different areas of Catalonia the interconnections between the few wild populations that exist for this animal and contribute to its reproduction.
In fact, and due to their docile and friendly character, they are currently only found in the wild in Catalonia, Mallorca and the Valencian Country.
This project is part of Endesa's Biodiversity Conservation Plan, it is an action at both an environmental and social level focused on the promotion of sustainable rural development, environmental education and the protection of the Mediterranean turtle.
The company develops around 29 annual projects for the protection and conservation of Biodiversity throughout the state on threatened species, spaces and habitats, increasing scientific knowledge and enhancing the value of biodiversity.
