Ivo Ivanchev: Project Update: July 2008

Building of 'Thracian cilffs' golf playground destroying tortoise habitats.

Between 15–30.05.08 investigation of the north Bulgarian Black See Coast was conducted. Huge five golf playgrounds between the city of Balchik and Kavarna are being built. Two of them - “Thracian Cliffs” and “Black See Rama” are totally destroying the most stable northern costal population of Testudo graeca.

From 7.06 to 17.06 and from 20.06 to 30.06 with more than 12 experts and volunteers, rescuing actions were carried out in the target sites. After examination, measuring, dewarming, marking, photographing, etc. in the Gea Chelonia Foundation Tortoise Centre located in Banya village, 90 T. graeca and 2 Testudo hermanni rescued specimen were relocated in Bezanovo protected area.

The actions were broadly promoted by the national and regional media. Two life radio emissions, more than 20 articles in the press and electronic media, reportages in TV programs as well as in the prime time news of main Bulgarian channels were shown.