News and Events
Hatchlings from the breeding program released into the wild
Juvenile Balkan terrapins were released into the newly restored pond in Ston and began their independent life in the wild.
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LIFE4mauremys
photo: Udruga HYLA -
LIFE4mauremys
photo: Udruga HYLA -
LIFE4mauremys
photo: Udruga HYLA -
LIFE4mauremys
photo: Goran Šafarek -
LIFE4mauremys
photo: Goran Šafarek -
LIFE4mauremys
photo: Goran Šafarek -
LIFE4mauremys
photo: Udruga HYLA
PROJECT NAME: "Mauremys rivulata - conservation of the umbrella species of the Mediterranean wetlands in Dubrovnik-Neretva County"
SHORT PROJECT NAME: LIFE for Mauremys
PROJECT ACRONYM AND CONTRACT NUMBER: 101071737 – LIFE21-NAT-HR-LIFE for Mauremys
The "LIFE for Mauremys'' project was designed to preserve the unfavorable conservation status of iconic freshwater turtle species Balkan Terrapin (Mauremys rivulata) within all Natura 2000 areas in the Dubrovnik-Neretva County where it has been recorded. In accordance with the The European Green Deal and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 supported by the European Parliament, the project will deal with Mediterranean freshwater habitats that are very important for Balkan Terrapin and biodiversity in general.
The project's activities include restoration of habitats, improvement of their quality and connectivity as well as population reinforcement by implementing a breeding programme. By including the community in the project activities, we will raise awareness about the importance of Balkan Terrapin conservation.
News and Events
The Balkan Terrapin Returns to Ston
Release of juvenile Balkan Terrapins into a newly restored pond in Ston Field, marking the International Day for Biological Diversity and Nature Protection Day in the Republic of Croatia, as part of the 2026 EU Projects Open Days.
News and Events
Mediterranean Wetland Week held in Ston
From 16 to 18 April, we organised workshops, panel discussions, lectures, and a public event in Ston.
News and Events
Donation of TURTOSave Traps to Fishermen
At an informational and promotional gathering organized by Local Fisheries Action Group “Malo misto” , fishing gear designed to reduce the accidental capture of protected freshwater turtles was distributed.
News and Events
Volunteer Action in the Herpetological Reserve
A volunteer action was carried out in the herpetological reserve in Majkovi to clean and restore a pond, in collaboration with several institutions and projects working together to preserve freshwater habitats in the south of Croatia.
News and Events
Importance of small wetlands
To preserve precious water, people built new ponds and dry-stone walls around places where water naturally accumulated. Although ponds are small water bodies that are often underestimated, their importance as sources of fresh water is significant.
News and Events
Third Year of the Project and Consortium Meeting in Dubrovnik
LIFE for Mauremys has entered its fourth and final year of implementation, and the partners gathered for a consortium meeting.
News and Events
Study Visit of Hungarian and Slovakian Experts
The aim of the visit was to exchange knowledge on freshwater turtle research, habitat restoration, and management of protected areas, as well as to improve existing nature conservation methods.
News and Events
Animated Film about the Balkan Terrapin
The animated film “Mara – A Life for New Generations” tells the story of a brave Balkan terrapin named Mara.
News and Events
Donation of TURTOSave fishing traps
The LIFE for Mauremys project continues its activities aimed at conserving the native European pond turtle and Balkan terrapin, while also supporting local communities in developing sustainable fishing practices.
News and Events
How Do Our Activities Affect Ecosystem Services?
As part of the LIFE for Mauremys project, we aim to understand how our activities affect ecosystem services, because we know that conserving the Balkan Terrapin is not possible without preserving healthy and functional ecosystems.
News and Events
Another Pond slider Removed
The Public Institution for the Management of Protected Natural Areas of the Dubrovnik-Neretva County recently received a report about the presence of the invasive alien species Pond slider (Trachemys scripta) in the Vid settlement
News and Events
Closing Event of the Mediterranean Wetland Week
What began with a two-day educational seminar on ecological innovations in agriculture concluded with a joyful public event for children and adults, which attracted a large number of locals from Konavle.
News and Events
Third Mauremys Day
Mauremys Day was held again this year, on May 25, 2025, at the Zagreb Zoo.
News and Events
Join Us for a Mauremys Day
On Sunday, May 25, 2025, we will celebrate Mauremys Day at the Zagreb Zoo.
News and Events
Breeding Centre and habitat for the Balkan Terrapin featured in ZOO Exibition
To mark the 100th anniversary of the Zagreb Zoo, an educational exhibition titled "Only 100 Years Young!" has been set up at Zrinjevac Park in the heart of Zagreb.
News and Events
What Is the Balkan Terrapin Up To?
We equipped several individuals with small telemetry devices and released them back into their habitats to track their movement.
News and Events
LIFE for Mauremys at Science Festivals
This spring, the LIFE for Mauremys project was featured at two major science events – the MUZZA Week of Science (April 10–13, 2025) and the Festival of Science (May 5–10, 2025) in Zagreb.
News and Events
Seminar on Sustainable Agriculture opened the Mediterranean Wetland Week
As part of the LIFE for Mauremys project, this year we organized the Mediterranean Freshwater Days event in Konavle, in collaboration with the local association Agroturizam Konavle.
News and Events
New Basking Platforms Installed in Balkan Terrapin Habitats
As part of the activities under Work Package 2: Habitat Restoration and Improvement, new basking platforms for freshwater turtles were installed in ponds within the project area.
News and Events
Breeding Centre and habitat for the Balkan Terrapin at Zagreb Zoo
The Balkan Terrapin habitat is an important part of the Zoo's breeding and educational activities, but also a new attraction that allows visitors to get a close-up view of this endangered and secretive species.
News and Events
Join us at Mediterranean Wetland Week
This year, we are once again celebrating the Mediterranean Wetland Week – after Majkovi, the event is coming to Konavle!
News and Events
Help Protect the Balkan Terrapin – Report Your Observations!
Project partners are inviting the local community of Ston, Majkovi, and Konavle to join the effort!
News and Events
Final Conference of the Still Water Revival Project
On March 11 and 12, 2025, we participated in the final conference of the Still Water Revival held in Sinj under the title “Ponds and Wells – Traditional Heritage of Freshwater Ecosystems in Karst”.
Project analytics
Project duration
56%
Achievements
50%
Progress within core work packages
WP1: Project management and coordination
50%
WP2: Restoring and improving habitats
42%
WP3: Reinforcement of Ston field population
50%
WP4: Adressing the other threats
44%
WP5: Monitoring and evaluation
15%
WP6: Public awaraness, dissemination and networking
33%
WP7: Sustainability, replication and exploitation of project results
21%
Help Protect the Balkan Terrapin – Report Your Observations!
Project partners are inviting the local community of Ston, Majkovi, and Konavle to join the effort!
