The Florida Pond Turtle’s New Home in Pamplona
A few days ago, environmental guards from Pamplona captured two Florida pond turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans) at Lake Mendillorri, a species that is not native to the area. Currently, it’s estimated that around 100 turtles inhabit this lake. However, this number is significantly lower than the approximately 300 found during a survey a decade ago when the lake was drained.
What Is Happening at Lake Mendillorri?
In October 2016, Lake Mendillorri was emptied for the first time in two decades, revealing a multitude of species, including the Florida pond turtle. During the process, technicians employed electrofishing techniques designed to capture aquatic life with minimal harm. The continuous rise in turtle numbers led to their classification in the Spanish Catalog of Invasive Exotic Species (Royal Decree 630/2013). Since 2021, Navarra has conducted an annual environmental control campaign each June to manage this invasive species.
Trapping Techniques
To capture these turtles, environmental guards utilize specially designed square traps. These traps include dual ramps where turtles bask in the sun, only to fall into a net when seeking to return to the water. Guards then paddle out by canoe to collect the captured turtles, transporting them to Wildlife Recovery Centers for care. This effort has shifted from mass captures to a more gradual approach, yet turtle sightings are becoming increasingly common.
Why It Matters
The introduction of non-native species like the Florida pond turtle into local ecosystems has serious ecological repercussions. This species competes directly with the already threatened European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) for vital resources, such as sunlight for temperature regulation. In terms of reproduction, the Florida pond turtle exhibits a higher reproductive output, laying larger clutches of eggs and reaching sexual maturity faster, which poses a significant threat to the native turtle population.
Research indicates that when both species coexist, the European pond turtle experiences weight loss and increased mortality rates due to competitive stress. This growing concern has raised alarms within the ecological community, leading to recommendations against further introductions of Florida turtles into European wetlands.
Historical Context
The Florida pond turtle made its way to Spain as a popular pet, often released into the wild as it outgrew its owner’s expectations. Its presence is now widespread, as indicated by its listing in the IUCN as one of the top harmful invasive species globally. Lake Mendillorri is far from an isolated incident; such turtles can now be found in various wetlands across Europe, necessitating expanded monitoring efforts in regions like Tudela and Corella.
Responsible Pet Ownership
The Ilundáin Wildlife Recovery Center has become an essential part of the solution, providing homes for many turtles collected from the wild. Even though selling and trading these turtles is illegal, pet owners who can no longer care for their turtles are encouraged to use a free service designed for the safe removal and rehabilitation of unwanted pets. “Natural species are not a toy,” explained Ana Brittany de la Torre, the general director of the Environment for the Government of Navarra, stressing the importance of responsible pet ownership and the protection of local ecosystems.