![]() In conclusion, we will summarize cases in which it’s reasonable to take a tortoise if it’s outside of its natural habitat or if it’s injured! If you are worried to alarm them yourself because the person is your neighbor and you think there’s a risk of subsequent conflicts, you can inform us and we will alarm the competent authorities and work together with them. If you encounter a sales advertisement for a tortoise, please alarm the Regional Inspectorate of the Environment and Waters, at the division of the city mentioned in the advertisement. In case the owners of a tortoise refuse to give her up, please alarm the Regional Inspectorate of the Environment and Waters. 129, as well as in the Bulgarian Criminal Code, Art. Keep in mind that having one of the local tortoise species in a private yard, a restaurant, a house or apartment is a serious violation of the law, since the tortoise is a protected species under the Act* and the trade or showing them as an amusement is illegal. All tortoises which end up with us are sent to the Tortoise Center where they receive the best care for such animals and after an evaluation of their physical condition they will be treated accordingly and set free in an appropriate environment or left on site for participation at the breeding programme. If you are in another city, please call us, and we will arrange for the transportation. You can bring the tortoise to us in Sofia (the Wild Animals) or at the Tortoise Center in the village of Banya, Nesebar Municipality. If the tortoise is outside its natural habitat – in a village, in a city park, or a private yard, you have to call the Regional Inspectorate of the Environment and Waters, the Wild Animals Foundation or the Tortoise Center of Gea Chelonia Foundation. HELP FOR A TORTOISE OUTSIDE ITS NATURAL HABITAT The only exception is when the private yard in the city or countryside is in the natural habitat of the tortoise in the wild. The city parks and gardens, as well as private backyards are not a natural habitat for the tortoise, let alone human apartments. The natural habitat of the tortoise is dunes and shores, which have thick bushes or thin oak woods at the Black sea, Mediterranean scrub, bush formations in East Rhodope Mountains, Sakar Mountains, Dervent Heights, structural basin around the cities of Petrich and Sandanski, grassy and steppe areas at dry limestone terrains, at many low hills areas of the country, dry grass areas at silicate terrains, etc. No matter the tortoise species our intervention is necessary only if the animal is found outside its natural habitat, if it’s a subject of a criminal offence (selling, ownership etc.), or it’s been hurt. The spur-thighed tortoise has one notable spur on each tight while the Hermann’s tortoise doesn’t have any spurs. The tail of the spur-thighed tortoise is covered with small scales.ģ. The Hermann’s tortoise has a longer tail (especially male individuals) which has a spur (a horny spike) at the tip. However, there are some exceptions so you cannot be certain based only on this feature.Ģ. ![]() Usually the Hermann’s tortoise has a divided tail carapace, while the spur-thighed tortoise carapace is undivided over the tail. Their names are due to specific external features for each species:ġ. ![]() There are two tortoise species in Bulgaria – the Hermann’s tortoise (Testudo hermani) and the Spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca). ![]()
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