Collecting invasive exotic turtles

American marsh tortoises(Trachemys scriptassp, species and subspecies) are popular pets. But if they are released into the wild, they cause serious damage to biodiversity: they become voracious predators of amphibians, fish, insects, eggs and aquatic plants, severely affecting the lives of local species. So much so that they are included in the list of the 100 most harmful invasive species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Recalling that theabandonment of these species in the wild or in urban centres constitutes an offence punishable by DL 230/2017 and Article 727 of the Penal Code, the Sustainable and Protected Areas Service collects the specimens found in the wild and arranges for them to be handed over to an appropriate facility.

It should be noted that in 2016 the European Regulation, implemented by Legislative Decree No 230 of 15 December 2017, came into force, which provides for the prohibition of reproduction, in addition to those of transport, purchase, sale, exchange and release of specimens in the wild.

Anyone who has found a specimen of the American marsh tortoise(Trachemys sripta ssp) in the wild.

Specimens found in the wild can be handed over, by prior arrangement by telephone, to the Sustainable Development and Protected Areas Service of the Autonomous Province of Trento, which will in turn arrange for delivery to a suitable facility.

No cost is involved.

Information on 0461 496109 - 0461 496190 - 0461.499610.