World turtle day in ZOO

In anticipation of World Turtle Day, celebrated annually on May 23rd, Mauremys Day was held at the Zoological Garden of Zagreb. Project partners came together to showcase their institutions and organize a range of educational workshops and entertainment for visitors.

At the Interpretation Center of the Protected Fauna of Croatia, they had the opportunity to learn about the diversity of turtles and observe the Hermann's turtle, Balkan Terrapin, European pond turtle, and the invasive alien species, Red-eared slider, up close. The Public Institution for the Management of Protected Natural Areas of the Dubrovnik-Neretva County demonstrated the differences between the Balkan Terrapin and European pond turtles through a creative game involving making and colouring turtle models. The Association Hyla highlighted the importance of Balkan Terrapin conservation through a memory game for kids, while the Turtle Genetics workshop organized by the Faculty of Agriculture sparked interest among the youngest visitors. Additionally, visitors had the chance to learn all about a new type of turtle-friendly fishing net. Notably, the cheerful mascot of Hrvatske vode, the turtle Hrvoje, provided a special experience for the youngest visitors as he entertained and posed for pictures with excited children and adults.

A total of 4,706 visitors flocked to the zoo that day, and those who participated in the Mauremys Day workshops, even if only briefly, gained new knowledge about turtles, had fun, and took home promotional and educational materials prepared by the project partners.