Re-introduction - Negev tortoise

The Negev tortoise
 
The Negev tortoise (Testudo werneri) is a critically endangered species, which currently lives only in the sands of the western and central Negev Desert in Israel. Based on 20-year old data, the population size has been estimated at about 2500 individuals, but it is probably much smaller than this estimate. The sandy habitat in general and the existence of the Negev tortoise in particular are endangered. Overgrazing, motor-sport activities, the spread of agriculture, military activity, and sand mining are the major problems that threaten the species. Furthermore, collection of individuals for consumption as food or for the pet-trade is also a threat for the species, as for other tortoise species around the world. In order to protect the species from extinction the Jerusalem Zoo has initiated a reintroduction project to revive the Negev tortoise's population. The Zoo started a captive-breeding project for the species, from founders that were collected from various private collections, which kept the tortoises without knowing that they belong to an extremely endangered species. The eggs that are laid are artificially incubated to enhance hatching success, which so far proves to be high. Furthermore, the Zoo has financed, through its Prof. Shulov Fund for the Study of Animals in Captivity, a preliminary survey that checked the current condition of the Negev tortoise populations and found that the species has been declining in areas where it used to be common. Also, the Zoo is now conducting a genetic study of its captive individuals and of wild individuals, to ascertain their similarity in preparation for future reintroduction.