Albera Testudo hermanni hermanni need help!!!!

[Mick.Ire]

Greetings, I am writing this appeal to you all for you to please consider. I hope this is ok with Admin. The project is endorsed by Chris Leone of Hermanni Haven/Gardenstate tortoises and the project publication will feature in Radiata (DGHT) Aug edition.

For tortoise lovers it's a very worthy cause, every little bit will go a long way.

The Albera Tortoise (Testudo Hermanni Hermanni) is in real trouble, despite the efforts of the CRT (see link below) the population is still declining for a number of reasons, habitat loss, predation (mostly by wild boar) and forest fires among others.

Over 3000 hatchlings and head started pure Albera THH have been released into the natural range since the sanctuary started well over 20 years ago. Despite this and other efforts such as creating suitable nesting sites, fire breaks in the land and various other projects the numbers have continued to drop and are now beyond natural genetic sustainability. The scientific formula requires a figure of 100 for natural genetic sustainability, the Albera comes in at 80. This means there are not enough numbers to continue a genetically viable natural population. This was first presented at the ESF conference in Utrecht, Holland April 2016. A proposed meeting was put into place at the CRT facility and took place Dec 5th 2016.

This is where the plan was put into place to try and save the Albera tortoise from extinction.

Because of the critical situation, information is needed through research as to how to save these tortoises from extinction. So what has been proposed is a thorough veterinary screening of around 50 wild Albera THH, this is to analyse the immune systems, to establish if there is a presence of harmful bacteria or protozoans among other veterinary screening methods and also to find out why this locality of THH is not breeding as prolifically as it's close cousins. The Albera female THH will lay fewer eggs than other locailties and hatchlings weigh half of what typical THH hatchlings weigh. The fatality rate of hatchlings is higher than any other and this needs to be studied and explanation needs to be established.

Running parallel to this is another phase of the project, genetically analysing Menorcan THH and Mallorcan. This is to establish which is the closest genetically to the Albera Tortoises, the university of Montpelier already has some samples awaiting to be analysed. It is proposed that when established which is closest genetically a controlled breeding program will be done between the Albera tortoise(A) and Menorcan or Mallorcan tortoise(M). The site for this project has been established a safe enough distance from the Albera tortoises natural range, and all offspring will have to be genetically screened to make sure they are the desired "crosses" and not a result of sperm retention by females. These offspring will be released into large vast "enclosures" in suitable habitats and left to survive naturally, with little to no human intervention. It is then these animals can again be genetically tested, and which combination, eg, 1 "A" male vs 3 "M" females, or 1 "M" male vs 3 "A" females etc produces the offspring that will most retain the Albera tortoises genetic likeness. Only then can these tortoises be considered for enhancing the genetic diversity of the Albera tortoises.

All the while 200-300 pure Albera offspring hatched at the CRT are released into the natural range EVERY YEAR. An incredible feat by the staff at the CRT.

Like everything in this world these projects all cost money, and so this is where your very generous donations for the Albera Tortoises are going.
This is NOT a case of a genetic research program for only scientific purposes, it is in fact a project to save these tortoises from extinction. To say this is their last chance is a very sobering thought, but sadly it is true.
The reason I feel very passionate about this project personally is I have visited the CRT for over 20 years. I know the plight facing these beautiful unique tortoises.

thank you for your support.

Please see how to donate via gofundme. Save the Albera Tortoise.
https://www.gofundme.com/save-the-al...udo-h-hermanni


http://www.tortugues.cat/