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For tortoise, terrapin and turtle care and conservation

2019 CONSERVATION APPEAL - The Albera Tortoise Project, Catalonia, Spain

For 2019 the BCG would like to support the Catalan Hermann’s Tortoise (Testudo hermanni hermanni), a tortoise slightly smaller and overall darker than the other local forms of this subspecies. It is possible that the darker colouration is an adaptation to a more humid or more shaded habitat as compared to the habitats of the other local forms.

CRT l'Albera logo

You may make a donation using the button below.(Note: Unless you specify otherwise your donation will go to this year's appeal)

Why not buy a 2020 Calendar and donate that way? - More Info

In prehistoric and historic times the Mediterranean tortoise lived in habitats that were dominated mostly by holm oak (Quercus ilex) and although less so, downey oak (Quercus pubescens) but to-day the habitats are dominated by other tree species producing different light and shadow patterns.

Habitats have been destroyed by bush fires, intensive viticulture, the use of pesticides, reforestation and scrub encroachment.

The numbers of the Albera Tortoise, the Catalan local form of the western subspecies, are declining rapidly, even if some 3,000 captive born hatchlings have been released in the past years to reinforce the tortoise populations.

The Conservation Centre involved with the breeding programme (Centre de Reproduccio de Tortugues de l’Albera) [C.R.T.], has asked for BCG sponsorship of two conservation projects totalling £5,300, which the BCG has pledged to support.

During 2019 our Newsletter will give details of these two conservation projects, give progress reports and photographs of this wonderful little tortoise.

PLEASE SUPPORT US TO HELP THIS CONSERVATION CENTRE TO DO THE NECESSARY RESEARCH AND PLAN ADDITIONAL ACTIONS TO PRESERVE THIS PRECIOUS CATALAN TORTOISE.

 If you would like to donate you can do so when you renew your membership by adding the amount to the form or you can send a separate donation by cheque or postal order made out to THE BRITISH CHELONIA GROUP and specify that you would like the donation to go to the 2019 Conservation Appeal. Please send your cheque to:
The Membership Secretary BCG, P.O.Box 16216, Tamworth, B77 9LA.

 Please be aware that if for any reason the money donated cannot be used for this appeal the BCG will use the money to support similar chelonian conservation projects.

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