\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.12news.com\/assets\/shared-images\/icons\/arrow-circle-down.svg\"){kind=icon}
<\/p>\nThey may look like bubble gum, but invasive apple snail eggs threaten Arizona wildlife. Here’s why officials want visitors to knock them into the water.<\/p>\n
MESA, Ariz. \u2014 Wildlife officials are warning visitors to the Lower Salt River to watch for clusters of bright pink eggs left behind by invasive apple snails, saying the species poses a growing threat to Arizona’s native wildlife and could present a potential health risk to humans.<\/p>\n
The neon pink egg masses, often found attached to rocks, vegetation and other surfaces along the riverbanks, have become a familiar sight for frequent visitors.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\n This story continues below.
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n More in Local
\n <\/p>\n
“Yeah, kind of look like nerds,” Omar Delgado, a Salt River visitor, mentioned.\u00a0<\/p>\n “Looked like some candy growing on the rock, and it was interesting. So, I wanted to see what it was,” another Salt River visitor mentioned.<\/p>\n The egg masses belong to invasive apple snails, a species native to Florida and parts of Central and South America.\u00a0<\/p>\n According to the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the snails were likely introduced illegally.<\/p>\n “Unfortunately, somebody’s unwanted aquarium pet was illegally released into the Lower Salt River, probably about 17 years ago,” said Jeff Sorensen, invertebrate wildlife program manager with the Arizona Game and Fish Department.<\/p>\n Sorensen said the species reproduces rapidly, with a single female capable of producing thousands of offspring each year. Because few native animals feed on the invasive snails, their population can grow unchecked.<\/p>\n “They do pose a threat to our native snail fauna, which is a big part of the food base for a lot of our fish and wildlife, because these snails are so abundant, they’re going to outcompete them or predate on them,” Sorensen said.<\/p>\n The concern extends beyond wildlife.<\/p>\n “These snails have a parasite or may have a parasite that might cause rat lungworm disease, which is a if we get infected with it. It’s a form of meningitis, so it’s a human health safety issue as well,” Sorensen said.<\/p>\n To help control the population, Arizona Game and Fish crews survey the river every two weeks during the summer months, counting pink egg masses and removing both eggs and live snails.<\/p>\n “Knock those eggs into the water to drown those eggs, and then in the backwaters or the shallow areas, we’ll actually collect out the live snails,” Sorensen said.<\/p>\n Officials are also asking the public to help. Paddlers can use a kayak paddle to knock pink egg masses into the water, where the eggs cannot survive.<\/p>\n Visitors who frequent the Salt River said they are willing to do their part to protect the river and preserve a long-standing family tradition.<\/p>\n “Yeah, we’ll definitely do our part to help keep our river because it’s our family tradition, we’ve been doing it for years now, and you know, we want to got to keep the family traditions alive,” one family said.<\/p>\n Arizona Game and Fish officials said they have removed thousands of live apple snails and egg masses from the Lower Salt River over the past seven years. Anyone who comes into contact with the snails or their eggs should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water.<\/p>\n >> Download the 12News app<\/a> for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.<\/p>\n Watch the 12News Streaming App for free \u00a0<\/p>\n You can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere, thanks to the 12News streaming app!\u00a0<\/p>\n The free 12News streaming app from 12News lets users stream live events \u2014 including daily newscasts like “Today in AZ” and “12 News” and our daily lifestyle program, “Arizona Midday”\u2014on\u00a0Roku<\/a> and\u00a0Amazon Fire TV<\/a>. \u00a0<\/p>\n 12News streaming showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona. \u00a0<\/p>\n Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives. \u00a0<\/p>\n Roku:\u00a0Add the channel from the Roku store<\/a> or by searching for “12 News KPNX.” \u00a0<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\n
\n Candy-like clusters hide a growing danger at the Salt River
\n
\n <\/p>\n
\n
\n <\/a>
\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\n
\n Wildlife experts say these bubblegum pink eggs are more dangerous than they look
\n
\n <\/p>\n
\n
\n <\/a>
\n
<\/p>\n