LIFE Trachemys - Demonstration strategy and techniques for the eradication of invasive freshwater turtles

This LIFE+ Trachemys project aims to address the negative environmental impacts on wetland environments from alien exotic turtle species, particularly the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta).

The project intends to: 

• create a strategy to eradicate invasive alien turtle populations, through the collection of individual exotic turtles (mainly T. scripta) from 17 wetlands of Valencia and Portugal and the demonstration of the viability and feasibility of new techniques for detecting nesting areas of exotic invasive freshwater turtle populations in wetlands;
• monitor the density and structure of native and exotic turtle populations;
• reinforce natural populations of indigenous endangered freshwater turtle Emys orbicularis in Ria Formosa area through a captive breeding program;
• inform society about problems caused by the release of exotic species in nature.

 For more information please visit the website

Team
José Teixeira
Bruno Herlander
Armando Alves
Jael Palhas

Dates
2011-2014

Participant Institutions and Partners
CIBIO-InBIO, GVA, PBG, RIAS and Vaersa

Funded by
LIFE+