site.btaBulgaria's Only Tortoise Rescue Centre Builds Infirmary

Sofia, January 6 (Dimitrina Solakova of BTA) - The Tortoise Rehabilitation and Breeding Centre in the coastal village of Banya, Nessebar Municipality, is the only rescue centre for these reptilian species in Bulgaria. Established in 2007 by the Gea Chelonia Foundation amid the deepening problems with habitat loss and population decline, the Centre has since saved the lives of hundreds of tortoises.

The Centre treats sick and injured tortoises from across the country and cares for them until they can be returned to the wild. That process can take from several days to years, and sometimes the reintroduction is not possible, for example due to a lasting trauma or too long life in captivity. As a result of the growing illegal trade and the use of tortoises as pets, the Centre often provides a home to non-native species as well. Also, some 150 tortoises hatch at the Centre every year, and need three years of care until they can be safely released in the wild.

The Centre's work is particularly difficult between the months of November and April, when the sick, injured, weakened and non-native tortoises need to be housed indoors at specific temperature, humidity and lighting. The existing facilities at the Centre do not fully meet these requirements, particularly when it comes to the heat and personal space that the patients need.

To this end, the Centre is building a well-insulated and heat-retaining infirmary. The construction of one of its two rooms was completed last year, providing winter housing to the recovering tortoises. The other room, aimed for heavily injured animals, will provide individual space for every tortoise with the necessary terrarium equipment.

The Centre needs support to finish the project. It has already raised just under 8,000 leva in a fund-raiser mottoed "Donate a Warm Shell" but needs a total of 13,855 leva.

Donations can be made on www.platformata.bg or via a text message DMS KOSTENURKA to 17 777 (for all mobile operators).

Those interested in learning more about Bulgaria's tortoise species and their conservation and in observing their lives from up close, can visit the Centre in Banya, preferably between June and September when the animals are most active. Visitors can also take part in radio tracking of tortoises in the area, designated an important herpetological site, to help collect data about the level of adaptation of reintroduced individuals. /DS/LN