Réintroduire une espèce oubliée sur un territoire délaissé du public : le cas de la cistude d'Europe en Alsace, nord-est de la France

• Published in: Natures sciences sociétés (Montrouge) Vol. 31; no. 1; pp. 18 - 30
• Main Authors: Philippot, Véronique, Georges, Jean-Yves
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: EDP Sciences 2023
• Subjects: Biodiversity and Ecology; Environment and Society; Environmental Sciences; Humanities and Social Sciences; Sociology; wetlands; environment; conservation; biodiversity; ethnobiology
• DOI: 10.1051/nss/2023018
• ISSN: 1240-1307

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 parla tortueen général.Lapolémique surl’indigénatdel’espèce cistuderévèle desdébats plus profonds. Lechoixdu site, peu fréquenté, est surtout lié àses atouts écologiques et à une opportunité administrative. Les relations entre les riverains et ceterritoire,emprunts de malaise et crainte, freinent l’appropriation des actions. Cependant, ledevenir du Woerr satisfait beaucoup d’informateurs, autant pour l’aventure humaine générée quepour sa perspective naturaliste.