World Turtle Day (May 23) aims to raise awareness about the need to protect turtles and their increasingly threatened habitats around the world. In that spirit, on World Turtle Day 2025 we carried out monitoring of the unique population of Hermann’s tortoises on the island of Golem Grad in Prespa.
Golem Grad is home to one of the densest and most unusual populations of Hermann’s tortoises in the world. The island’s isolation has led to unique behavioral and ecological adaptations in this species, making Golem Grad a vital site for scientific research and conservation of these tortoises.
Unfortunately, this island population is also extremely vulnerable. An imbalanced sex ratio among individuals, combined with the growing negative impacts of climate change, poses serious threats to the long-term survival of the tortoises on the island.
On World Turtle Day, we not only celebrate these ancient reptiles but also highlight the need to protect Golem Grad and the wider transboundary Prespa region. Through ongoing research, habitat protection, and regional cooperation, we strive to preserve the rich biodiversity that makes Prespa so special—today and for future generations.
These activities are part of the project PrespaNET III – Conserving the Biodiversity of Transboundary Prespa, supported by the Prespa Ohrid Nature Trust (PONT), the Aage V. Jensen Foundation, and EuroNatur.
