ИСТИНА

CURRENT STATUS AND PROBLEMS OF PROTECTION OF TESTUDO GRAECA NIKOLSKII IN NORTH-WESTERN PART OF THE AREA Studies of Testudo graeca nikolskii at the north-western part of its area conducted since 1982 on the Abrau Peninsula (lowlands of the North-Western Caucasus) in xerophytic forests of the Mediterranean type. Its population is near 5 – 6 thousand individuals. Tortoises prefer open habitats and open forests with thick grass level on sub-horizontal surfaces or on the slopes up to 100 – 150 m asl. of the south-western – western exposure, steepness of the slopes lower than 20° (near 1,5 ind./ha). Size-age and sex composition is close to optimal. «Utrish» reserve established in 2010 at the Abrau Peninsula will reduce the human pressure and positively affect the tortoise status. Realization of the proposed actions for optimization of the protection and monitoring of T. g. nikolskii will help to stabilize and increase the population numbers at this place.