On Friday, 17 July 2026, 21 specimens of invasive alien turtle species were received at the Invasive Alien Turtle Reception Centre at the Visitor Centre The Drava Story in Noskovci. The specimens included red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) and yellow-bellied sliders (Trachemys scripta scripta).

The turtles were delivered by staff of the Public Institution for the Management of Protected Natural Areas of Vukovar-Srijem County, in cooperation with the Public Institution for the Management of Protected Parts of Nature and the Ecological Network of Virovitica Podravina County.

This invasive alien species poses a threat to the conservation of native species, particularly the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis). Therefore, its removal from natural habitats plays an important role in biodiversity conservation.

Each individual placed at the Invasive Alien Turtle Reception Centre helps reduce pressure on native species by mitigating the negative effects of competition between red-eared and yellow-bellied sliders and the European pond turtle.