An endangered UK crayfish species has been given a helping hand, with the opening of a new conservation centre on the Isle of Wight. The facility, which is based at Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, has been made possible by a collaboration with the Wildlife Trust and Bristol Zoo Project, with additional funding from the Watercress and Winterbournes scheme.
The white-clawed crayfish is the UK's only native crayfish species, and is important to chalk stream ecosystems. Sadly, its numbers have plummeted in recent decades due to pollution, habitat loss, and the introduction of the American signal crayfish. This invasive species carries a disease called 'crayfish plague', which has decimated native crayfish numbers.
For the past decade, the Trust and Bristol Zoo Project have been partners in the Southern Chalkstreams Project. This pioneering project raises young crayfish in a secure environment before releasing them into invasive-free areas called 'ark sites'. The new conservation centre will expand on this work, further bolstering native crayfish populations in the wild.
As one of only a few places in the country where the public can see native crayfish up close, the centre will also help to raise awareness about the plight of these amazing animals. The Watercress and Winterbournes partners are delighted to be supporting this fantastic initiative, as part of their work to project, enhance, and celebrate local chalk streams.