Seven striped terrapins hatch at Athalassa Environmental Centre

The Cyprus Department of Forests announced on September 30, 2026, the successful hatching of seven striped terrapin (Mauremys rivulata) hatchlings at the Athalassa Environmental Information and Education Centre. This event represents the second successful breeding cycle at the facility, which currently maintains a resident population of three adult turtles.

The Athalassa facility serves a dual role in both public environmental education and active conservation efforts. The striped terrapin is a native species to Cyprus and is strictly protected under national laws, European Union directives, and international agreements. The recent hatchlings are slated for eventual release into suitable natural habitats across the island to bolster the local population.

Conservation efforts remain critical due to the species' precarious status in recent years. The Department of Forests highlights that the terrapins face significant survival pressures caused by climate-driven prolonged drought leading to the drying of wetlands. Additional threats include the illegal filling of riverbeds and lakes, as well as the unlawful collection of the species. The department emphasizes that every new birth is a vital milestone for biodiversity, urging the public to support the protection of wetlands.