European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis), well prepared, size 11 cm. A fine pattern of rays can be seen on the carapace, the head and limbs are covered with yellow dots. This species, which is threatened with extinction according to the "Red List" (of the IUCN / International Union for Conservation of Nature, with observer and advisory status at the United Nations), was once widespread in Germany, but in the Middle Ages - declared a fish - it was on the fasting plan, not only among monks (who were also entitled to 5 liters of beer a day!) and was subsequently almost eradicated. Today they are only native to very few places in Germany and there in quite small populations. There are now at least re-settlement projects, e.g. the protection project with a breeding station (Rhinluch, Linum) in Brandenburg (with the involvement of the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Nature Conservation, among others). Around 860 pond turtles have been resettled there by 2023. The "AG Sumpfschildkröte" (Agriculture Group on the Pond Turtle), founded on a private initiative, cooperates with the Hessian Ministry of the Environment and several zoos, including the Nuremberg Zoo. In the course of 2024, the Hundshaupten Wildlife Park in Franconian Switzerland (sponsored by the Forchheim district) will join. The Heinz Sielmann Foundation (search: Sielmann) is committed to this species with a larger project in northern Brandenburg, primarily supported by donations. Overall, this also applies to the Nature Conservation Association NABU, e.g. in the floodplain area on the Upper Rhine (Rhineland-Palatinate) and on Lake Steinhude (Lower Saxony), even across the border on the French side of the Rhine (EU Interreg project "Sumpfschildkröte ohne Grenzen"), now expanded to include the "Emys-R" project (also with Poland and Lithuania). The University of Landau and SEA LIVE in Speyer are also involved. The TV film "Animal Returnees - Back in Nature" (documentary 2021) is also about this species of turtle, among others. There is also a strong cooperation between the Donau-Auen National Park and the Schönbrunn Zoo (Vienna), including sponsorship of nests. [hint: this is an automatic translation from German]   |   Category: artefact   |   Material: Schildpatt Präparate   |   Country of origin: Bavaria, Germany | Similar pieces