{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,9]],"date-time":"2026-04-09T13:41:18Z","timestamp":1775742078727,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":43,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"8","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,9]],"date-time":"2026-04-09T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1775692800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"Uyum Forestry Project Consulting Industry and Trade Co. Ltd.","award":["2015\/142677"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["2015\/142677"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Animals"],"abstract":"<jats:p>The Spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) is a long-lived terrestrial reptile listed as \u2018Vulnerable\u2019 on the IUCN Red List and protected under CITES Appendix II. As an ecosystem engineer, it plays a vital role in Mediterranean landscapes, yet it frequently faces anthropogenic pressures in urban environments. This study provides an ecological and ethological assessment of a captive T. graeca population (n = 42) in the historical M\u00fcnire Madrasa Handicrafts Bazaar in Kastamonu, T\u00fcrkiye. The methodology integrated spatial carrying capacity modeling (Boullon model), systematic ethogram-based observations (120 h), and ethnozoological surveys (n = 200). Spatial analysis revealed that the population exceeds the corrected Real Carrying Capacity (RCC \u2248 10) by four times (Overcapacity Index: 4.2) within the 70 m2 area. Ethological findings documented chronic stress, with stereotypic pacing (H1) occupying 32% of the time budget, alongside a significant loss of anti-predator mechanisms due to anthropogenic habituation (\u01301). While stakeholders (100%, 95% CI: 98.1\u2013100%) perceive the tortoises as cultural symbols of abundance, the biological reality indicates severe welfare risks, including potential metabolic bone disease from a monotonous anthropogenic diet and a disrupted Ca:P ratio. The site is categorized as a \u2018High-Constraint Interaction Zone\u2019. We propose a management transition toward a monitored \u2018Urban Wildlife Education Station\u2019 to align local cultural values with international animal welfare and conservation standards.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ani16081141","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,9]],"date-time":"2026-04-09T12:21:32Z","timestamp":1775737292000},"page":"1141","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Ecological and Ethological Assessment of Captive Testudo graeca in an Urban Bazaar: A Case of High-Constraint Wildlife Tourism in Kastamonu, Northern Anatolia"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"16","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-3210-8262","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Murat","family":"Afsar","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biology, Zoology Section, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Manisa Celal Bayar University, Yunusemre 45140, T\u00fcrkiye"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-4116-2383","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"\u00c7etin","family":"\u00c7elik","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Manisa Celal Bayar University, Yunusemre 45140, T\u00fcrkiye"},{"name":"Akhisar Science and Art Center, Akhisar 45200, T\u00fcrkiye"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7413-8120","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Mahsun","family":"Ca\u011flar","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Manisa Celal Bayar University, Yunusemre 45140, T\u00fcrkiye"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"P\u0131nar","family":"Durmu\u015f","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Manisa Celal Bayar University, Yunusemre 45140, T\u00fcrkiye"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Birg\u00fcl","family":"Afsar","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biology, Zoology Section, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Manisa Celal Bayar University, Yunusemre 45140, T\u00fcrkiye"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,9]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"57","DOI":"10.13057\/asianjethnobiol\/y080106","article-title":"Ethnozoological documentation of traditional vertebrate-based practices in the mountainous regions of Eastern Anatolia from Erzurum, Ardahan, I\u011fd\u0131r, and Kars (Turkey)","volume":"8","author":"Karakaya","year":"2025","journal-title":"Asian J. Ethnobiol."},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"153","DOI":"10.1080\/08927936.2020.1719754","article-title":"Animals and pastoral groups in the mountainous \u00d6merli District of Southeast Anatolia","volume":"33","author":"Siddiq","year":"2020","journal-title":"Anthrozo\u00f6s"},{"key":"ref_3","unstructured":"Ba\u015fo\u011flu, M., and Baran, \u0130. (1977). The Reptiles of Turkey. Part I. The Turtles and Lizards, Ege \u00dcniversitesi Fen Fak\u00fcltesi Kitaplar Serisi."},{"key":"ref_4","unstructured":"Baran, \u0130., Ilgaz, \u00c7., Avc\u0131, A., Kumluta\u015f, Y., and Olgun, K. (2021). T\u00fcrkiye Amfibi ve S\u00fcr\u00fcngenleri, Palme Yay\u0131nc\u0131l\u0131k."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ernst, C.H., and Lovich, J.E. (2010). Turtles of the United States and Canada, JHU Press.","DOI":"10.56021\/9780801891212"},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"216","DOI":"10.1080\/09397140.2021.1933764","article-title":"Demography, distribution, and threat assessment of the Spur-thighed Tortoise (Testudo graeca) in the Gediz Delta, Turkey (Reptilia: Testudines)","volume":"67","author":"Arslan","year":"2021","journal-title":"Zool. Middle East"},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Dudley, N. (2008). Guidelines for Applying Protected Area Management Categories, IUCN.","DOI":"10.2305\/IUCN.CH.2008.PAPS.2.en"},{"key":"ref_8","first-page":"47","article-title":"Physiological ecology in relation to the terrestrial ecosystem","volume":"47","year":"1974","journal-title":"Physiol. Zool."},{"key":"ref_9","first-page":"540","article-title":"Assessing the translocation potential of the Egyptian tortoise Testudo kleinmanni","volume":"45","author":"Attum","year":"2011","journal-title":"Oryx"},{"key":"ref_10","first-page":"46","article-title":"Thermal ecology and behavior of Mojave desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) in a fragmented landscape","volume":"84","author":"Bernheim","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Therm. Biol."},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"31","DOI":"10.1163\/157075407779766679","article-title":"Testudo trade in Turkey","volume":"4","author":"Kiremit","year":"2007","journal-title":"Appl. Herpetol."},{"key":"ref_12","first-page":"120.1","article-title":"Testudo graeca Linnaeus 1758 (Eastern Subspecies Clades: Testudo g. armeniaca, Testudo g. buxtoni, Testudo g. ibera, Testudo g. terrestris, Testudo g. zarudnyi)\u2014Armenian Tortoise, Zagros Tortoise, Anatolian Tortoise, Levantine Tortoise, Kerman Tortoise","volume":"Volume 5","author":"Rhodin","year":"2023","journal-title":"Conservation Biology of Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises: A Compilation Project of the IUCN\/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group"},{"key":"ref_13","unstructured":"Bar, A., Haim, A., Inbar, M., and Bar-Shai, A. (2021). Thermal biology and activity patterns of the Greek tortoise (Testudo graeca) in a Mediterranean ecosystem. J. Therm. Biol., 100."},{"key":"ref_14","unstructured":"Highfield, A.C. (1996). Practical Encyclopedia of Keeping and Breeding Tortoises and Terrapins, Carapace Press."},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1015","DOI":"10.1016\/S0003-3472(05)80640-2","article-title":"Stereotypies: A critical review","volume":"41","author":"Mason","year":"1991","journal-title":"Anim. Behav."},{"key":"ref_16","first-page":"18","article-title":"Basic husbandry and common medical problems of tortoises and terrapins","volume":"18","author":"Divers","year":"1996","journal-title":"Practice"},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"281","DOI":"10.1016\/S0261-5177(01)00080-2","article-title":"Feeding wildlife as a tourism attraction: A review of issues and impacts","volume":"23","author":"Orams","year":"2002","journal-title":"Tour. Manag."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Moorhouse, T.P., Dahlsj\u00f6, C.A., Baker, S.E., D\u2019Cruze, N.C., and Macdonald, D.W. (2015). The customer isn\u2019t always right\u2014Conservation and animal welfare implications of the online ratings of elephant tourism attractions. PLoS ONE, 10.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0138939"},{"key":"ref_19","first-page":"22","article-title":"Wildlife and human interaction in urban recreation areas: An ethical perspective","volume":"3","author":"Mumcu","year":"2016","journal-title":"Peyzaj Ara\u015ft\u0131rmalar\u0131 Derg."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Karaer, M.C., \u010cebulj-Kadunc, N., and Snoj, T. (2023). Stress in wildlife: Comparison of the stress response among domestic, captive, and free-ranging animals. Front. Vet. Sci., 10.","DOI":"10.3389\/fvets.2023.1167016"},{"key":"ref_21","unstructured":"Boullon, R.C. (1985). Tourism Planning: Basics, Concepts, Cases, John Wiley & Sons."},{"key":"ref_22","first-page":"111","article-title":"Assessing the welfare of captive reptiles: A behavioral and physiological approach","volume":"204","author":"Biaggini","year":"2018","journal-title":"Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"213","DOI":"10.1016\/0006-3207(90)90087-6","article-title":"Non-consumptive wildlife-oriented recreation: A conceptual framework","volume":"53","author":"Duffus","year":"1990","journal-title":"Biol. Conserv."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"81","DOI":"10.1080\/09669589608667260","article-title":"Using interpretation to manage nature-based tourism","volume":"4","author":"Orams","year":"1996","journal-title":"J. Sustain. Tour."},{"key":"ref_25","unstructured":"Shackley, M. (1996). Wildlife Tourism, International Thomson Business Press."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Hall, C.M., and Boyd, S.W. (2005). Nature-Based Tourism in Peripheral Areas: Development or Barrier?, Channel View Publications.","DOI":"10.2307\/jj.29308499"},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"100","DOI":"10.1080\/13032917.2009.10518898","article-title":"The wild and the humanized: Animals in Thai tourism","volume":"20","author":"Cohen","year":"2009","journal-title":"Anatolia"},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Fennell, D.A. (2012). Tourism and Animal Ethics, Routledge.","DOI":"10.4324\/9780203153642"},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ballantyne, R., and Packer, J. (2013). The role and management of non-captive wildlife in ecotourism. International Handbook on Ecotourism, Edward Elgar Publishing.","DOI":"10.4337\/9780857939975"},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"31","DOI":"10.1016\/S0261-5177(00)00018-2","article-title":"Towards a conceptual framework for wildlife tourism","volume":"22","author":"Reynolds","year":"2001","journal-title":"Tour. Manag."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"227","DOI":"10.1163\/156853974X00534","article-title":"Observational study of behavior: Sampling methods","volume":"49","author":"Altmann","year":"1974","journal-title":"Behaviour"},{"key":"ref_32","unstructured":"Higham, J.E.S., and L\u00fcck, M. (2007). Marine Wildlife Tourism: Management, Implications and Conservation, CABI Publishing."},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"7366","DOI":"10.1073\/pnas.131091498","article-title":"Corticosterone levels predict survival probabilities of Gal\u00e1pagos marine iguanas during El Ni\u00f1o events","volume":"98","author":"Romero","year":"2001","journal-title":"Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA"},{"key":"ref_34","first-page":"329","article-title":"Terrestrial habitat a vital component for home range of aquatic turtles","volume":"112","author":"Gibbons","year":"2003","journal-title":"Biol. Conserv."},{"key":"ref_35","unstructured":"Cifuentes, M. (1992). Determinaci\u00f3n de Capacidad de Carga Tur\u00edstica en \u00c1reas Protegidas, CATIE."},{"key":"ref_36","first-page":"23","article-title":"Recreation impacts and management in wilderness: A state-of-the-knowledge review","volume":"Volume 5","author":"Cole","year":"2000","journal-title":"Proceedings: Wilderness Science in a Time of Change Conference"},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"129","DOI":"10.1177\/144078339903500201","article-title":"The \u201cnature dispositions\u201d of visitors to animal encounter sites in Australia and New Zealand","volume":"35","author":"Bulbeck","year":"1999","journal-title":"J. Sociol."},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"83","DOI":"10.1177\/146879760100100105","article-title":"The wild animal in late modernity: The case of the Disneyization of zoos","volume":"1","author":"Beardsworth","year":"2001","journal-title":"Tour. Stud."},{"key":"ref_39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Higginbottom, K. (2004). Contributions of Wildlife Tourism to Conservation. Wildlife Tourism: Impacts, Management and Planning, Common Ground Publishing. [1st ed.].","DOI":"10.1079\/9780851997322.0181"},{"key":"ref_40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"81","DOI":"10.1093\/phr\/114.1.81","article-title":"Hoarding of animals: An under-recognized public health problem in a difficult-to-study population","volume":"114","author":"Patronek","year":"1999","journal-title":"Public Health Rep."},{"key":"ref_41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Fraser, D. (2008). Understanding animal welfare. Acta Vet. Scand., 50.","DOI":"10.1186\/1751-0147-50-S1-S1"},{"key":"ref_42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Frankham, R., Ballou, J.D., and Briscoe, D.A. (2010). Introduction to Conservation Genetics, Cambridge University Press. [2nd ed.].","DOI":"10.1017\/CBO9780511809002"},{"key":"ref_43","unstructured":"Rollin, B.E. (2006). Animal Rights & Human Morality, Prometheus Books."}],"container-title":["Animals"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-2615\/16\/8\/1141\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,9]],"date-time":"2026-04-09T12:39:28Z","timestamp":1775738368000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-2615\/16\/8\/1141"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,9]]},"references-count":43,"journal-issue":{"issue":"8","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,4]]}},"alternative-id":["ani16081141"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ani16081141","relation":{},"ISSN":["2076-2615"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2076-2615","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,9]]}}}