Reintroduce a forgotten species on a territory neglected by the public: the case of the European pond turtle in Alsace, NE of France ; Réintroduire une espèce oubliée sur un territoire délaissé du public : le cas de la cistude d'Europe en Alsace, nord-est de la France

International audience ; In 2013, the European pond turtleEmys orbiculariswas first reintroduced in the Alsacian restoredsite of the Woerr (Lauterbourg). Knowledge and perceptions about this animal and the place ofreleases were assessed by surveys on a sample of 143 informers, including 40 stakeholders /observersconcerned orpotentially interested by the topic. The study shows that this freshwaterturtle is unknown on the local level. The decision of its return in the NE of France is essentiallybased on the ideology of a naturalist whose territorial functions facilitated theimplementation ofthis project in the favorable protectionist context of the time. The generally sympathetic image ofthe turtle makes it a symbol of restoration of wetlands and an emissary of remedial actions fornature. A controversy over indigenous statusreveals deeper debates about this reintroduction such as the opportunity of monopolizing efforts and resources on an already extinct species to thedetriment of other vulnerable species on sites that are not the protected by specific measures. TheWoerr site has been chosen because of its little human attendance, its ecological assets and anadministrative opportunity. Relations between residents and wetlandsthatnow benefits fromprotective measures to protect nature in its heart and unpleasant security measures on its peripherywith the presence of an industrial site, are marked by unease and fear, which slow down theappropriation of conservation actions. However, the ecological future of Woerr satisfied manyinformants, as much for the human adventure generated than for its naturalistic perspective. ; En 2013, la réintroductiondelacistuded’EuropeEmysorbicularisen Alsace a débuté sur le siterestauré du Woerr (Lauterbourg).Desenquêtes ethnographiqueset sondages de ruemenés en2017 auprès de143informateurs montrent que cette tortue d’eau douce est méconnue localementet que la décision de son retour repose essentiellement sur une idéologie naturaliste confidentielleet sur l’image sympathiquevéhiculée ...