Fifteen big African spurred tortoises living in Feldman Ecopark moved to the new enclosure. From now on, these world’s third largest land reptiles will live in the spacious and highly comfortable premises. There is a heated floor in it, as well as the ultraviolet and infrared lamps. According to the experts, this equipment meets the conditions needed for the maintenance of these heat-loving African giants during winter.
“The spurred tortoises live in dry semideserts and savannahs to the south of Sahara. They feel comfortable under the hot tropical sun, that is why we tried to create the necessary illumination and temperature for them. Moreover, the new enclosure for our big pets is more spacious. In general, it is equipped with necessary facilities according to the requirements of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), where the Ecopark has a CFM status (a candidate for membership). These requirements covered not only the animals’ safety and health, but also the improvement of their well-being,” Feldman Ecopark’s deputy director of zootechnics Valeriia Ivashchenko told. “The spurred tortoises have already been visited by the young naturalists of the Feldman Ecopark Children’s Ecology and Nature Study Academy. They brought handmade presents to them and are going to take care of the improvement of the habitat for these amazing creatures.”
The visitors to the Regional Landscape Park are able to watch the spurred tortoises through the huge windows of the new enclosure. In summer, the reptiles will return to their open African yard, where they give the turtle-assisted therapy to everyone.
It should be reminded that the spurred tortoises are in the IUCN Red List, and many zoos of the world are trying to preserve this species. As for Feldman Ecopark, its animal collection has more than a hundred and a half turtles – 6 tortoise species and 7 water turtle species.
