"Return of the Turtle": The Caucasus Nature Reserve will restore the endangered species Nikolsky's tortoise.

As part of the project, an enclosure will be created in the Yew and Boxwood Grove of the Caucasus Nature Reserve to acclimate the turtles and subsequently release them into their natural habitat. A comprehensive information campaign is also planned. 

"Our goal is to prevent people from taking turtles from the wild and from supporting the trade in animals. These turtles cannot be kept in captivity without harm. Even with semi-free-range housing, with an enclosure, it will be impossible to raise a turtle to the same size as it would be in the wild,"  рассказал Alexey Bibin, head of the ANO "Western Caucasus", researcher at the Caucasian Nature Reserve.

Nikolski's tortoise, or the Mediterranean tortoise, belongs to the family of tortoises. While widespread just a few decades ago, its population has been gradually declining. Several factors contributed to this decline: the destruction of historical habitats, the removal of animals from the wild, and extensive construction. Raccoons also destroy egg clutches.

Turtles will be brought to the Caucasus Nature Reserve from the Safari Park in Gelendzhik and the Turtle Temporary Care and Rehabilitation Center in Anapa. The first "resettlers" are expected to arrive next year.

Photo: Caucasus Nature Reserve's Telegram channel