Project Emys

The European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) is one of the most charismatic endemic species of European wetlands. Unfortunately, habitat loss and the introduction of alien species have placed the species under severe pressure. In Italy, it has recently been classified as Endangered (EN) on the Red List of Italian Vertebrates.

Thanks to a project funded by Fondazione Capellino, tangible measures are being undertaken to conserve of the natural populations in Piedmont, where the species faces serious challenges.

The project includes a range of activities, such as the breeding and management of specimens, monitoring of spawning, incubation of eggs, housing of hatchlings in the laboratory, and the rearing of juveniles in an external nursery. These efforts lead to the release of the turtles into the wild, followed by ongoing monitoring to ensure their survival.

Project

The project’s conservation actions are implemented in synergy with other protection programmes led by the Emys Piemonte Centre and the Management Authority of the Protected Areas of the Piedmont Po, with the following objectives:

Re-establish a colony of European pond turtles in an area from which the species has disappeared
Strengthen an existing population that currently shows clear signs of vulnerability
Convert an area currently used for agriculture into a permanent wetland (land acquisition funded by the Park Authority, environmental restoration funded by the Life URCA project) within the SAC “Paludi di San Genuario e San Silvestro”
Improve habitat in the “Sponde fluviali di Palazzolo Vercellese” area by preparing terrestrial zones as nesting sites

The project follows a series of steps leading to the release of numerous European pond turtles into the wild. These include breeding and management of adult breeders, monitoring of egg-laying, incubation of eggs, housing of hatchlings in the laboratory, rearing and management of juveniles in the outdoor nursery, release into the wild, and ongoing monitoring of the released animals.

At the Palazzolo Vercellese site, a period of 3 to 4 years of releases is planned, totalling approximately 105–110 individuals. An additional 30–40 individuals will be released in the S. Genuario area over one or two years, depending on turtle availability.

Updates

In the 2024–25 biennium, 81 specimens of Emys orbicularis—both juveniles and subadults—were released. Visual monitoring confirmed the successful adaptation of the new colony, with simultaneous sightings of up to 12 individuals during thermoregulation activities — a clear sign of the animals’ adjustment to their natural environment.
The year 2025 marked a reproductive record at the Center, with over 100 hatchlings, surpassing results from previous years and confirming the effectiveness of the adopted management and environmental strategies.
In the same year, a new pond was also created, faithfully replicating the ideal ecosystem for E. orbicularis, featuring abundant native aquatic vegetation and surrounded by an area suitable for nesting.

Objective

Area of intervention

Project

Updates

Project data