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.
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.
We equipped several individuals with small telemetry devices and released them back into their habitats to track their movement.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This year, we are once again celebrating the Mediterranean Wetland Week – after Majkovi, the event is coming to Konavle!
Project partners are inviting the local community of Ston, Majkovi, and Konavle to join the effort!
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”.
Following significant interest in the sustainable agriculture seminar held in Majkovi, we organized an online seminar to enable the participation of as many farmers as possible, particularly those from the project area.
One of the project's objectives is to remove invasive species from all locations where habitat restoration and improvement efforts are being carried out. By reporting observations of IAS, you can contribute to their early detection and containment.
Biologer is an important tool in the LIFE for Mauremys project. Biologists from the Hyla Association use it during every field survey in project areas, recording not only observations of the Balkan Terrapin but also other species.
The children's picture book MAUREMISI: Raising Our Voices to Save the Turtle! traveled through Dalmatian schools and has now arrived in Zagreb.
The partners and the Advisory Board of the project met at the Faculty of Agriculture in Zagreb to present the achievements so far and discuss upcoming challenges and activities necessary for the long-term sustainability of the project.
The traveling exhibition, consisting of five educational posters, began its tour of schools in Dubrovnik-Neretva County in October 2024, accompanied by the workshop "The Story of the Balkan Terrapin."
Hrvatske vode (the Croatian Waters) team visited Dalmatia to present their latest educational material—a picture book about Balkan terrapins, Mara and Maroje.
The autumn period is ideal for such activities because most aquatic animals are dormant, and we avoid the breeding and egg-laying seasons to minimize disturbance.
The company Geonatura organized a course on ecosystem services as part of the Erasmus+ project TUNE IT – Nature benefits: from theory to practice, with participation from team members of the Association Hyla and the Faculty of Agriculture.
From November 19 to 22, the Public Institution for the Management of Protected Areas of Dubrovnik-Neretva County installed panels and sign posts in the areas of Majkovi, Prljevići, Konavle, and Ston.
At Podsreda Castle in Kozjansko Nature Park, on November 14 and 15, 2024, the second international conference of the LIFE AMPHICON project was held, bringing together experts, researchers, and enthusiasts from various countries to exchange knowledge
Croatian Hub for Regenerative Agriculture organized a seminar titled "ECO Innovations for Small Production Areas" through the LIFE for Mauremys project at the House of Honey and Traditional Products in Majkovi.
The LIFE for Mauremys project has reached the halfway point of its planned duration, and partners gathered for a consortium meeting held from October 21 to 23, 2024, at the Dubrovnik-Neretva County.
This important investment, worth over 105 000 euros, is a crucial step in the implementation of the LIFE for Mauremys project, which aims to improve the conservation status and long-term sustainability of the Balkan Terrapin population.
We were at the 14th European Conference on Ecological Restoration: “Bridging Science, Practice, and Policy of Nature Restoration”.
WP1: Project management and coordination
WP2: Restoring and improving habitats
WP3: Reinforcement of Ston field population
WP4: Adressing the other threats
WP5: Monitoring and evaluation
WP6: Public awaraness, dissemination and networking
WP7: Sustainability, replication and exploitation of project results
Project partners are inviting the local community of Ston, Majkovi, and Konavle to join the effort!
