site.btaBulgaria’s Only Tortoise Rehabilitation Centre Faces Closure, Needs Support

Bulgaria’s only centre for the rescue, rehabilitation and breeding of tortoises is in danger of being shut down, after a Burgas District Court decision left the foundation managing the Centre without a head. The Centre’s co-founder, Iva Lalovska, wrote on Facebook that she has appealed the decision but until the issue is solved, donations are needed. 

The Centre was set up by Ivo Ivanchev as the sole manager of Gea Chelonia Foundation in the coastal village of Banya, Nessebar Municipality, back in 2007. He and his partner Iva Lalovska have since treated and reintroduced in the wild more than 6,000 tortoises. Europe’s third centre entirely dedicated to these reptilian species is also the permanent home of tortoises whose lasting trauma or too long a life in captivity makes it impossible to survive in the wild. There currently are 200 tortoises from two protected species at the Centre.

In May, Ivanchev passed away, which by law leaves his children as the only possible managers of Gea Chelonia Foundation. However, they are underage, and a clause in the Foundation’s statute does not allow Lalovska as their mother to head the Centre until they turn 18. Her request to that end was rejected by the Burgas District Court on August 10, leaving the future of the Centre and its scaly inhabitants unclear.

In addition to the appeal of the Court’s decision, Lalovska sees as a solution to register a new foundation that would inherit the activity of Gea Chelonia. She commented for BTA that she is not losing hope, and that her greatest wish is to continue Ivanchev’s life work. 

Until the situation is resolved, the Tortoise Rescue, Rehabilitation and Breeding Centre relies on volunteers and donors to provide the tortoises with the necessary conditions ahead of the winter season. Information on how to donate can be found here.