Ţestoasa de apă (emys orbicularis)... în pericol!
Water turttle (Emys orbicularis) ... in danger!

Summary/Abstract: Our project was carried out during the last two school years, by the involvement of more than 20 pupils, over an area of 100 km2, in Depression Guruslău at the contact of Someş Plateau and Silvano-Someş hills. The presence of water turtle (Emys orbicularis) was known in this area, but so far there haven’t been detailed made detailed observations and there weren’t published specialized studies.We proposed three general objectives (knowledge of morphological aspect so fresh water turtle, inventory of habits with water turtle and awareness of colleagues, citizens and local authorities on the need to protect this species which is in danger) and a plan for achieving them through a good cooperation with our partners in the project: Biological Research Center Jibou, Association „Milvus Group” Târgu Mureş, Environmental Protection Agency Sălaj and others. During the two years we have traveled the entire area to know the wetlands along the river Someş, those along the streams coming from Culmea Prisnelului and Masivul Dealu Mare or small ponds designed in the last 10 years. We documented through the study of books and gradually learned ability infilling in the observation sheets, the analysis of the maps, the interpretation of collected data. We have provided a series of materials necessary to observations (binoculars, cameras, calipers, tape measures, com‑passes, etc.), as well as Internet access and for further hiking we went by school minibuses. The results of our project are focused on: Complete a total of 20 observation sheets (measurements) for turtles caught by fishermen or found incidentally and then released into favorable habitats; Direct knowledge of the morphological aspects for water turtle, the most beloved species of reptiles, adopting a friendly and responsible attitude towards this animal which has not changed its appearance in the last 200 million years; Implementation of more than 500 photos for the turtles measured and wetlands; Identification of 21habitats in which it has been confirmed the presence of the water turtle (Emys orbicularis); Completion of 15 observation sheets for habitats in which it has been confirmed the presence of turtles; Making hydrological and meteorological measurements in the wet‑lands from Depression Guruslău; Disseminating project results (video projections) in front of nearly 400 students in our village, distributing 300 brochures “Protect the water turtle” and installing 12 posters “10 reasons to protect water turtle (Emys orbicularis)” ; All turtles caught accidentally by fishermen, children and citizens were released in the most favorable habitats managing to convince them that their place is in the natural environment. The project undertaken by us is intended as a warning signal for water turtle protection in the area Depression Guruslău. Our project was sent to partners and local authorities with the hope that this area where there is a large number of wetlands could be included in a protected natural area, at county and even national level.

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