This year, we are once again monitoring the population of the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) in the Ribniki Nature Reserve in the Draga Valley near Ig. As part of our research activities, we have so far captured 17 turtles using funnel traps and successfully protected five of their nests.
European pond turtles lay their eggs in nests dug on land, where both eggs and hatchlings often fall prey to various predators such as foxes, badgers, and martens. The young turtles are expected to hatch in the autumn, but they will remain in the nests until they emerge the following spring.
