Hatchlings from the breeding program released into the wild
The release of juvenile turtles into the newly restored pond in Ston Field, one of the key results of the LIFE for Mauremys project, took place on 22 May 2026. The date also symbolically coincided with the International Day for Biological Diversity and Nature Protection Day in the Republic of Croatia.
Among the distinguished guests, we would especially like to highlight the pond owners, Mr Mato Barović and Mr Miho Barović, without whose cooperation and understanding of the noble goal of returning this native species to its natural habitat this achievement would not have been possible. The Barović family signed a thirty-year agreement with the Public Institution for the Management of Protected Areas of Dubrovnik-Neretva County, the first agreement of its kind in Croatia, representing a significant step forward towards the more active involvement of private landowners and the use of private parcels for the protection of habitats and species in Croatia.
We refer to the pond in Ston as a refugial, or sanctuary, pond because it provides optimal conditions for feeding, shelter from predators, and the successful further development of young freshwater turtles. A temporary protective enclosure has also been installed in the pond, providing the juveniles with additional protection from predators such as birds and mongooses while they adapt to their new home.
The population of the Balkan terrapin in Ston is considered almost extinct, and we are especially proud of this achievement, which offers a new opportunity for the return of this native species to the Ston Field area, where it was once abundant.
Following the release of the juveniles, regular monitoring of the released individuals will continue, along with further strengthening of cooperation with the local community, with the aim of ensuring the long-term conservation of sensitive freshwater ecosystems in southern Croatia.
The programme on 22 May began at the historic Veliki Kaštio fortress and, in addition to project partners, was attended by representatives of Dubrovnik-Neretva County, the Municipalities of Ston and Dubrovačko Primorje, the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund, Croatian Waters, project partners and public institutions, as well as members of the local community. During the programme at Veliki Kaštio, guests had the opportunity, through introductory speeches by the Mayor of the Municipality of Ston, Vedran Antunica, the Director of the Public Institution, Marijana Miljas Đuračić, and the Deputy General Director of Croatian Waters, Valentin Dujmović, as well as through the presentation “Return to the Ston Pond”, to learn about the activities that led to this important event. They also heard how every individual of this species is invaluable for the survival of the entire population and that the release of these turtles into their restored habitat represents a crucial step towards securing a stable future for the Balkan terrapin in Dubrovnik-Neretva County. Before departing for the pond, guests also watched the animated film “Mara – Life for New Generations”, produced by the Šipan Summer Film School in cooperation with the Zagreb Zoo, about the brave Balkan terrapin Mara.
The children from Ston Primary School also welcomed them at the pond in high spirits, eagerly awaiting the release of juveniles with imaginative names into the pond. The names of the turtles were chosen by the children during the final event of the Mediterranean Wetland Days in Ston in April 2026, further strengthening the bond between the local community and the young Balkan terrapins and contributing to the idea that the turtles are not just numbers in scientific tables – they become full-fledged inhabitants of the Ston pond. Particularly emotional moments were when Mr Miho Barović released the turtle named Miho, named after him, and received a special LIFE for Mauremys project token of appreciation – a glass sculpture of the Balkan terrapin, a work by a local artist.
We wish the young Balkan terrapins a safe return to swimming happily in large numbers through the canals and ponds of Ston Field, supported and cared for by the local community, which will continue to protect them as the natural heritage of their region. And to the children who saw them off to their new home with their own hands, we wish a happy childhood and hope they remain ambassadors of nature conservation, carrying with them a lasting message about the importance of coexistence between people and nature.
The event also attracted media attention, and a report on the release of the juveniles was broadcast in the main national HRT news programme; you can watch it here ↴
