News and Events / LIFE4mauremys

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Help Protect the Balkan Terrapin – Report Your Observations!

Project partners are inviting the local community of Ston, Majkovi, and Konavle to join the effort!

Online Seminar on Sustainable Agriculture Held

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.

Invasive Alien Species in Croatia: Citizen Participation

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: A Citizen Science Platform

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.

Picture book showcased in Zagreb Zoo

The children's picture book MAUREMISI: Raising Our Voices to Save the Turtle! traveled through Dalmatian schools and has now arrived in Zagreb.

Project partners and Advisory Board meeting

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.

Educational traveling exibition in Dubrovnik-Neretva County schools

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."

Picture Book Tour in Dalmatian Schools

Hrvatske vode (the Croatian Waters) team visited Dalmatia to present their latest educational material—a picture book about Balkan terrapins, Mara and Maroje.

Cleaning action to improve conditions on Balkan Terrapin’s habitats

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.

Workshop on Ecosystem Services: Contribution to the Conservation of the Balkan Terrapin

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.

Instalation of informational and safety panels

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.

International LIFE Amphicon conference

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

Agricultural seminar "ECO Innovations for Small Production Areas"

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.

Second Year of the Project and Consortium Meeting in Dubrovnik

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.

Contract Signed for the Development of the Freshwater Turtle Reception Point

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.

The 14th European Conference on Ecological Restoration in Estonia

We were at the 14th European Conference on Ecological Restoration: “Bridging Science, Practice, and Policy of Nature Restoration”.

Collaboration with Šipan Summer Film School

The team from the Zagreb Zoo partnered with organizers of the Šipan Summer Film School (LJŠFŠ), to collaborate with their mentors and participants in creating the first Croatian animated film about the Balkan Terrapin.

Mediterranean ecosystem restoration workshop in Piran

We participated in the 1st Summer School organized by the Natural Heritage Mission, titled “Our Mediterranean ecosystem’s health is in danger. Time to restore it!”