Background The practice of “cleaning” river beds using excavators and bulldozers, formerly favoured by local authorities in the Centa plain, has led to the loss of most river bed pools in the area. Most of the few scattered pools that are left are in isolated positions peripheral to river beds and are thus more subjected to in-filling. They also face a range of threats, including: uncontrolled access of vehicles (mainly motorbikes); trampling of clay pond/ rivulet formations; the presence of dogs; and dumping of waste. Uncontrolled access of vehicles and people to the habitats concerned has led to damage on the bank and clay vegetation, soil compaction and clay pond erosion. These effects have resulted in alterations and the reduction of food, shelter and breeding of the European pond turtle of the Centa plain (Emys orbicularis ingauna), a species listed in Annex II of the Habitats Directive. Other threats to the target species are uncontrolled small-scale game fishing activities and the introduction of non-native invasive animal species. Objectives The project’s main objectives are as follows: To eradicate invasive, non-native freshwater terrapin and turtle species in two areas, including the most significant wetland habitats of Liguria: the plain of Centa river and the basins of the Magra and Vara rivers; To implement ex-situ breeding with the aim of re-stocking the population of the European pond turtle of the Centa plain; To restock with captive bred juveniles the Centa plain wetland habitat areas favoured by the European pond turtles. (This action will also aim at the removal of all alien invasive freshwater turtle and terrapin species); To improve the wetland habitat quality for the targeted pond turtle species, in particular concerning its important basking and breeding areas; To draw up a ‘pathology risk assessment’ (before, during and after the restocking) for both the released and the wild turtle species; and To increase public awareness of the vulnerability of wetland ecosystems and, consequently, of the need to avoid any further releases of invasive, non-native freshwater species into the wild. Expected results: The eradication of invasive non-native freshwater terrapin and turtle species within the Centa plain freshwater sites and a considerable reduction within Magra and Vara river basin areas. (It is estimated that the total number of individuals might reach 200 in the former and 400 in the latter areas); The production of at least 80 captive-bred European pond turtle hatchlings per year; The annual release into the ponds of at least 50 individuals aged 3-5 years; An 80% survival rate of juveniles four months after their release in the wild; Significant improvements in the targeted breeding and basking sites; A DRA (Disease Risk Assessment) for pond turtle reintroduction/restocking actions; and An estimated 1 million visitors to the turtle facility at Genoa aquarium.