After the release of half a hundred individuals last year Trenca technicians have checked that the species bred successfully.

An individual of Hermann’s tortoise (Testudo hermanni hermanni) born this year. © Trenca

On June 22 half a hundred of Hermann’s tortoise (Testudo hermanni hermanni) will be released in Les Garrigues  which will be supporting  to the project of reintroduction of Hermann’s tortoise in Montsant Natural Park .

An individual of Hermann’s tortoise (Testudo hermanni hermanni) just before his release last year. © Trenca

The proposal has as main objective the creation of a new nucleus of population in Les Garrigues,  which will be supporting  to the project of reintroduction of Hermann’s tortoise in Montsant Natural Park and the conservation of the species in Catalonia.

The municipalities of Bellaguarda, La Granadella and Bovera are a representative area of mediterranean ecosystem and it´s a dispersion area of the releases that have been done at the Montsant Natural Park. (There are 7,6 km between this area and the bounderies of the Natural Park).

The emergence of the first individuals in recent weeks has shown that the area is ideal for the development of the project promoted by the Center of Amphibians and Reptiles of Catalunya (CRARC), responsible for facilitating the individuals released last year.

Surroundings of Les Garrigues where 53 individuals of Hermann’s tortoise (Testudo hermanni hermanni) were released last year. © Jordi Bas

This proposal is supported by Montsant Natural Parc, CRARC (Recovery Center of Amphibians and Reptiles of Catalonia), Bovera Council, Fundación Biodiversidad (Spanish Goverment), Club EMAS, Balearic Islands Goverment, GOB Menorca and ENDESA. Trenca Association and CRARC are responsible for release, control and monitoring.