Native crayfish discovered living in a brook in Derbyshire face a “race against time” to be saved from an invading species.
When a population of the under-threat white-clawed crayfish – the UK’s only native crayfish – was discovered in the west of the county, a rescue mission was launched to move the aquatic animals to a safe location.
If left, the white-claws faced being outcompeted and infected by the arrival of invasive American signal crayfish and the crayfish plague they carry.
More than 80 have been rescued so far – with the Sea Life Centre in Birmingham agreeing to quarantine batches of the crayfish before they were taken to a secret “ark” site in Staffordshire.
Kath Stapley, living rivers officer at Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, said: “This site used to be a great stronghold for our native white-clawed crayfish, but it is unfortunately now colonised by signal crayfish too, and they are currently living side by side.
“However, this won’t be for long, as the signals will wipe the white-claws out.”