The Phoenix of the Krka: an injured Hermann's tortoise was returned to the wild after a successful recovery

A severely injured Hermann’s tortoise found on the road in Kistanje on 26 August 2024, was returned to the wild yesterday

The turtle was found by the director of the Krka National Park, Nella Slavica, and the expert leader Gordana Goreta on the way to Burnum. As soon as they realized that the turtle was injured, the director took it to the vet. After almost a month of care and veterinary treatment, which eventually bore fruit, the turtle was happily returned to its natural habitat, where it began a new life with the symbolic name – the Phoenix of the ​​Krka.

The turtle was returned to nature cured, but with a slightly changed appearance: the characteristic olive color of its shell was replaced with the blue of the Krka River. This was the color of the dental material used to rejoin the turtle’s shell, which most likely was injured when a motor vehicle ran into it. Hence we would like to appeal to visitors and local residents that, if they come across the Phoenix of the ​​Krka in nature, do not try to wash his shell because it is his protection, and alsowhen someone sees him they will be able to recognize him by his blue color. Therefore, we invite everyone who notices him in nature in the spring to take a photo of him and report it to the Krka National Park, which will reward them symbolically.

We would like to thank the staff of the More Veterinary Clinic, who, with their expertise and dedication, really brought the turtle back to life, given the very difficult condition it was in when it was brought to them. Let this be a motive for all those who find an injured animal to react and help it, so that it gets a chance to recover and return to nature, because this is also one of the ways to contribute to the preservation of biodiversity.

Hermann’s tortoise or the common chancar turtle (Testudo hermanni) is a protected land turtle in Croatia, known for its longevity and successful adaptation to the Mediterranean climate. its carapace or shell, which is connected to its spine, protects it from predators as the turtle can withdraw into it when threatened. Although the tortoise does not have many natural enemies, young individuals suffer the most, as they can be attacked by birds of prey, rats, and foxes. Adult turtles are most often killed by human activities, such as traffic and the use of garden tools. The Hermann’s tortoise lives on average from forty to sixty years in the wild, and there are hundred-year-old specimens in zoos.

These tortoises are endangered due to the loss of their natural habitat and illegal removal from the wild. The species is strictly protected by law: it may not be touched without the permission of the relevant ministry, and the penalties for poaching are high. In winter, the tortoises hibernate, buried in shallow holes, and they wake up with the arrival of spring, when they are most vulnerable, as they can die from injuries caused by human carelessness.

We wish our Phoenix of the ​​Krka a long, healthy, and happy life without injury!