Fatih Polat
Other projects
18 Apr 2023
Nest, Population and Conservation Parameters for Nile Softshell Turtle in Antalya, Turkey
Nile softshell turtle (Trionyx triunguis) is a carnivorous brackish turtle belonging to the Trionychidae family (softshell turtles). They make their nests on beaches and sand dunes close to rivers, lakes and ponds. This species is distributed across Turkey, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Greece in the Mediterranean. Their numbers are decreasing day by day as a result of the loss of their natural environments, especially due to the increase in human activity and construction in their living areas. Apart from these, bycatch, pollution, and global climate change are reasons this species is threatened. The main goal of the project is to restore the species' habitat and increase nesting success. The work will also be the first of its kind in the world.
The study will be carried out in Ilıca Stream of Manavgat district. Restoration work will be carried out in the area where Trionyx triunguis nests intensively and this area will be protected with a wire fence. Information signs will be placed around the protected area and information will be provided to local and foreign tourists and fishermen coming to the area. Ilıca river will be checked in the mornings before human activity increases (05:00 AM-09:00 AM), and nest locations will be determined and recorded. The traces left by the adults when they go ashore will be followed and their non-nesting and nested emergences will be determined. For nested emergences, nests will be dug in a controlled manner in order to obtain egg data. The area name, nest number, date, total number of eggs and nest coordinates of the detected nest will be recorded on forms.
With this study, we will prevent habitat loss, which is one of the most important factors threatening the extinction of the species in Ilıca stream. With the restoration work, we will do a first for the species that has not been done in the world so far. This will set an example for future studies and will be the first restoration work for the species. With this conservation work, it is aimed to increase the nest success of the species.