{"id":726375,"date":"2026-06-10T01:49:26","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T01:49:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/726375\/"},"modified":"2026-06-10T01:49:26","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T01:49:26","slug":"harrowing-creek-photos-spark-fears-for-ancient-species-facing-extinction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/726375\/","title":{"rendered":"Harrowing creek photos spark fears for ancient species facing extinction"},"content":{"rendered":"

Harrowing photos highlight the wretched state of Australian rivers, where at least 36 species of spiny crayfish<\/a> (Euastacus) are facing extinction.<\/p>\n

Among those listed on the Commonwealth’s threatened species list are the 2.5kg Murray cray, the second-biggest freshwater crayfish in the world.<\/p>\n

One image shared by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-Australia)<\/a>\u00a0shows Manus Creek in southern NSW, which turned a mustard colour and became uninhabitable after the 2019\/2020 Black Summer Bushfires.<\/p>\n

Before this catastrophic event, only three Euastacus species were listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act<\/a> as threatened species.<\/p>\n

Another photo, taken last year, shows a stretch of creek in the Whian Whian State Forest in NSW dried up after drought and fire.<\/p>\n

\"Close<\/p>\n

A critically endangered Euastacus yigara in a defensive pose.<\/p>\n

(Rob McCormack)Fears for species that thrived for millions of years<\/p>\n

WWF-Australia is warning that extreme weather events are intensifying due to climate change, putting the future of freshwater species in doubt.<\/p>\n

Covered in spikes and armour, Euastacus crayfish originally evolved when Australia was wetter and cooler, making them “living relics from a time long ago”, but they are struggling to adapt to the rapidly changing climate.<\/p>\n

“Spiny crayfish have been around for millions of years. We can’t let these overlooked and underappreciated creatures disappear on our watch,” WWF-Australia’s Dr Stuart Blanch warned.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A creek that was once home to spiny crayfish in Whian Whian State Forest is pictured dried up in 2025.<\/p>\n

(Rob McCormack)<\/p>\n

Have you photographed an endangered species in the wild? Contact newsroomau@yahoonews.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Scientists predict some of the 36 endangered crayfish could be extinct within 10 years. The status of three more species is unknown as they are currently being assessed.<\/p>\n

Invasive pathogens<\/a> also remain a threat to freshwater wildlife.<\/p>\n

Where spiny crayfish are found<\/p>\n

Spiny crayfish currently live from South Australia to Far North Queensland, helping to keep water clean by eating rotting vegetation and animals.<\/p>\n

They need clear, cool, free-flowing streams or rivers to survive, and good examples of this habitat are becoming increasingly rare.<\/p>\n

Why studying these odd crayfish is important<\/p>\n

WWF-Australia and the federal government-funded Saving the Spinys Project have been working on assessing the health of spiny crayfish populations so they can be better protected.<\/p>\n

RELATED<\/p>\n

Some recommendations include preventing the harvest of multiple species, with exceptions made for the Murray cray.<\/p>\n

\"Close<\/p>\n

Murray River crays (Euastacus armatus) are the second-biggest freshwater crayfish in the world<\/p>\n

(Getty)<\/p>\n

Another group working to protect spiny crayfish is the privately funded Australian Crayfish Project. Its founder, Rob McCormack, highlighted the importance of research into these elusive creatures.<\/p>\n

“There are currently 56 recognised Euastacus species, with many additional species known but not yet formally described, and likely many more still to be discovered,” he said.<\/p>\n

“Undescribed species are effectively invisible in environmental planning and assessment processes, and may decline or become extinct without ever being recognised.”<\/p>\n

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