The project seeks to carry out a diagnosis for the conservation of the populations of the Moorish tortoise (Testudo graeca) in Spain.

The project seeks to carry out a diagnosis for the conservation of the populations of the Moorish tortoise (Testudo graeca) in Spain, as well as to design and implement a permanent monitoring program of the populations of this species in the southeast of Spain.

The Moorish tortoise is listed by IUCN and in the National Catalogue of Threatened Species as vulnerable. The initiative, launched by the Miguel Hernández University of Elche with the collaboration of the Spanish Herpetological Association (AHE), responds to the need to develop a long-term monitoring program that evaluates the evolution of the conservation status of populations.

The project will serve to promote the naturalistic observation of wild turtles with a volunteering plan linked to the monitoring program. Another objective is to develop a strategic proposal for the conservation of Testudo graeca populations in Spain.

The activities of this initiative include:

• Dissemination actions for volunteers
• Training days for field technicians and volunteers
• Population census campaign
• Working meetings with experts and technicians from the responsible administrations
• Analysis, reporting and dissemination of results
• Preparation of a strategic proposal for the conservation of Testudo graeca populations in Spain