Events and News

Ark Rescue for Mid Devon Crayfish

White-clawed Crayfish rescued from the Rivers Culm and Creedy Yeo have been bred and released into an 'ark' habitat at Wildwood Devon’s state-of-the-art hatchery, following a special project of research, construction, quarantine and care.

“By relocating adults here, we’re giving them the strongest chance to establish secure, thriving populations. Without action like this, the species could disappear from our rivers forever,” Pete Burgess, Director of Conservation and Rewilding at Wildwood Trust.

Once thriving in rivers across the South West, the native white-clawed crayfish has suffered an 80% population decline due to invasive American signal crayfish, habitat loss, and disease. But this new ark site, funded by Natural England and with help from Blackdown Hills National Landscape and South West Water, gives hope for their future.

NEWS SOURCE: Crayfish hatchery and nursery (Wildwood Trust)