Endangered crayfish released at safe site

Hundreds of endangered white-clawed crayfish have been released at a safe site.

Northumberland Zoo's conservation project saw 348 craylings reared in "a complex journey" which involved "specialist daily care, careful monitoring of water quality and plenty of problem solving".

The craylings were released into what is called an ark site - a special patch where they have more protection to help them live and breed in safety - near the River Wansbeck, a stronghold for the native crayfish.

White-clawed crayfish were once common but populations have declined by an estimated 70 to 80% in recent decades due to pollution, habitat loss, and the spread of invasive non-native species.

While mostly unseen, the crayfish play an important part in the natural balance of waterways.

They help recycle dead plant and animal matter, support water quality, and provide food for other native wildlife, including herons, otters, eels, brown trout and salmon.

An ark site - adapted from an old cattle drinking hole - was created by the National Trust at the River Wansbeck in 2022.

The site is fed by a spring, with the water flowing over significant barriers before it reaches the Wansbeck, meaning the chances of American signal crayfish or plague entering are low.

The project by the zoo involved more than 1,500 hours of staff time since 2024, who described it as a "huge success".

The zoo received 53 female crayfish carrying eggs, known as berried females, as part of an emergency rescue in 2024.

The craylings were then "carefully reared" which "sounds fairly straightforward" but "was anything but that", the zoo said.

"Seeing 348 of them heading off into the wild made every hour worthwhile."

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