White-clawed Crayfish
Austropotamobius pallipes
Endangered in Britain
Within 10 miles of the Zoo, there is the UK's largest remaining population of white-clawed crayfish in the Wansbeck river.
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They are a keystone species for our environment, vital to our rivers as they help keep the waters clean and provide an important food source for some of our native mammals, like european otter.
Threats in the Wild
White-clawed crayfish are classified as Endangered in the UK, with the largest remaining populations located in rivers in the north of England.
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The largest threat to white-clawed crayfish is the the introduction of the invasive Signal Crayfish, a much larger north American species, who are outcompeting and spreading a disease commonly known as crayfish plague.
Consequently, white-clawed crayfish have been identified as a Priority Species by the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP, 2007) and a Species of Principle Importance in England and Wales.
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Northumberland Zoo
We are part of the Northeast Crayfish Partnership, an association that includes:
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Northumberland Rivers Trust
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Tyne Rivers Trust
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Environment Agency
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Northumberland County Council
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Northumberland Rivers Catchment Partnership
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Environmental Records Information Centre
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National Trust
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Northumberland National Park
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Northumberland Zoo
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In this group, we work together to prioritise what actions are requireed in the local areas to protect our remaining populations of white-clawed crayfish and prevent the spread of crayfish plague through the 'Check, Clean, Dry' campaign.
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At the zoo, we have a purpose-built rearing facility for white-clawed crayfish. We work with the Environment Agency to source 'berried' females to bring into our hatchery. (These are females who already have eggs on them.) Once the craylings have hatched, we then carefully rear them for 18 months before releasing them to a suitably identified Ark site in Northumberland.
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This initiative allows for a greater survival rate of offspring, as in the wild the predicted survival rate of hatchlings is around 3%. These captive releases also allow us to create new populations of crayfish in Northumberland in areas where they are safe from the invasive Signal Crayfish. These ark sites are a vital back-up population just in case Signal crayfish become established in the Wansbeck river, wiping out that last remaining stronghold.
What can you do?
Report any crayfish sightings, regardless of species, to the Environment Agency Hotline on: 0800 80 70 60 - Ask for the Fisheries, Biodiversity & Geomorphology Team.
Whenever you are using any of our waterways in the UK, remember 3 simple steps to help protect our crayfish:
1. Check: Check your equipment, boat, and clothing after leaving the water for mud, aquatic animals or plant material. Remove anything you find and leave it at the site.
2. Clean: Clean everything thoroughly as soon as you can, paying attention to areas that are damp or hard to access. Use hot water if possible.
3. Dry: Dry everything for as long as you can before using elsewhere as some invasive plants and animals can survive for over two weeks in damp conditions.
Learn more here: Non-Native Species
Visit white-clawed crayfish at Northumberland Zoo and learn more about their fight.
