Distribution and conservation of Hermann's tortoise in Serbia: presentation of the Rufford project results

Abstract

Hermann's tortoises (Testudo hermanni boettgeri Mojsisovics, 1889) in Serbia, and generally in the Balkans, suffer high pressure of illegal collecting and export. Official records testify that in 20 th century more than 2 million specimens were exported from the territory of former Yugoslavia. In the last decade, there were several tortoise seizures on the national borders of Serbia during illegal export attempts. Although numbers of exported animals could testify of numerous, dense Hermann's tortoise populations in the former Yugoslavia area, reliable data on distribution and population status are scarce. Relatively recent population studies suggest that populations in Serbia are dense and numerous, but further research on distribution and population characteristics are needed. During the field work within the Rufford project, we found 34 novel 10 x 10 km UTM squares for Hermann's tortoise distribution in Serbia and started population studies at three new localities with obviously healthy and dense populations. Also, we took blood samples from Hermann's tortoises living at 21 localities across Serbia. These blood samples will be used for creating of the DNA data base, needed to match the DNA samples taken from the tortoises seized at the borders. This will enable returning of seized animals in to their original populations. Similar DNA data base for Hermann's tortoise (and other Chelonian species) at the level of the Balkan Peninsula could be very useful for the species conservation, since they obviously suffer high illegal trade pressure. There is also an urgent need for temporary shelters, in the area of the Balkan Peninsula, for Chelonians seized at the borders. At this moment, these animals are placed in zoos where most of them suffer suboptimal living conditions.