Literaturdatenbank
Literaturdatenbank |
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Popgeorgiev, G. (2005). Conservation of the globally threatened tortoises in the eastern rhodopes mountain, bulgaria Rufford Small Grants Foundation.
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich (28 Feb 2010 12:07:37 UTC) |
| Resource type: Report/Documentation BibTeX citation key: Popgeorgiev2005 View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Habitat = habitat, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises, Südosteuropa = South-Eastern Europe Creators: Popgeorgiev Publisher: Rufford Small Grants Foundation |
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| Abstract |
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Testudinidae Both European tortoises are globally threatened, listed in the IUCN Red List (2004) - T. graeca VU A1 cd, T. hermanni LR/nt. Their conservation is a priority and country’s obligation according to international conventions such as the Bern Convention, CITES, Council Directive 92/43/EEC. The Eastern Rhodopes Mt is known to shelter the densest and compact tortoise population in Bulgaria due to low level of the agricultural intensification, great habitat heterogeneity, milder climate and specific plant associations. The region is therefore considered as very important tortoise reservoir for the eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula. Population density of tortoises at national and regional level is continuously decreasing over the last decades due to: • Habitat change (deterioration and destruction). Impact of the fires over the habitats and tortoises’ population is virtually unknown and field data are thus urgently needed to access the significance of this factor. • Illegal collecting for consumption, trade or pet keeping due to low nature conservation awareness of the local people and lack of long-term effective cooperation between the controlling bodies. By carrying a field research we will access the impact of fires as a factor for habitat destruction. The results will be used to propose biodiversity friendly measures for the restoration of the burned areas. By organizing seminars, lectures and media campaign we will raise the regional awareness for the conservation of tortoises. Field checks will be carried to train controlling officers on how to enforce the species protection legislation. For more information contact: georgi_popgeorgiev@hotmail.com Project Report: October 2005 Field research of seven fire-places occurred in different years and the contiguous control sites are surveyed in the region of Eastern Rhodopes. Workshop with the local control institutions, NGO, local communities and media was carried out. The control institutions made tangible commitments regarding tortoises’ conservation in the region, as a result of the workshop. Sixteen control raids are realized and thirty-two places are checked, including gypsy camps, private houses, public places and kinder gardens. Eighty-seven tortoises are confiscated as eleven of them are voluntarily delivered by citizens. At the same beginning the project was broadly promoted by the regional media. By this moment more than thirty-six articles are realized in the press and electronic media as well as three radio - and five TV transmissions, which gave a vast publicity to the tortoises’ conservation problems. Colored poster in a total print of four thousands was printed and spread in the key Eastern Rhodopes regions of tortoises’ conservation, around eight municipalities and more than one hundred-seventy villages. Theoretical activities for identification of the two species, tortoises’ biology and ecology, as well as threats on them, are carried out with pupils in the cities of Ivajlovgrad and Majarovo during the summer, afterwards the theory learned was proved on the field as part of the field activities. Presentation of the project was made during a course for “Management and conservation of threaten by distinction species” carried out (16.07-07.08.2005), in the International Education Center by Jersey Zoo, organized by Durrell Wildlife conservation trust. Thirteen volunteers and more than ten experts by regional and national institutions had taken part in the project activities implementation by this moment.
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich |