This initiative, which this year has had the support of the Generalitat de Catalunya, has added 10 captive-bred specimens from the Albera Turtle Breeding Centre, managed by the Association Friends of the Albera Turtle (ATA). Since 2015, a total of 248 specimens have been released into the Ter river, with the first ones already reproducing in the wild, and turtles born in the river have been observed for the past five years.
Each released turtle carries a subcutaneous microchip to facilitate individual identification and long-term monitoring. The European pond turtle is one of the most threatened reptiles and one of the vertebrates at highest risk of extinction in the area, listed as endangered in the Catalogue of Threatened Native Wildlife of Catalonia.
Despite progress, the species remains highly vulnerable due to habitat fragmentation and degradation, the presence of invasive species, and hydrological alterations. Therefore, maintaining conservation efforts is essential to ensure the population's long-term viability.
The protected natural area “Riberes del Baix Ter” is a key riverine ecosystem in northeastern Catalonia, comprising a mosaic of riparian forests, wetlands, and floodplain habitats that support high biodiversity and play a crucial role in ecological connectivity.
