Rewilding Portugal calls for tortoise reintroduction in nature plan

Rewilding Portugal argues that Portugal's draft National Nature Restoration Plan, currently in public consultation as a response to EU restoration targets, should include reintroducing the Mediterranean and Moorish tortoises, species that once lived in Portugal but were wiped out by hunting, fire and habitat loss. The article cites fossil evidence of their historic presence and highlights southern France's decades-long recovery programme for Testudo hermanni as a model. It warns that fragmented habitats mean tortoises cannot recolonise Portugal naturally, so a structured reintroduction programme, with strict sourcing certification, would be needed.