Environment Conservationists release endangered stone crayfish in Sihlwald forest

Stone crayfish were released into the Sihlwald forest in Zurich on Saturday. With the reintroduction of the highly endangered native crayfish species, the Zurich Wilderness Park says it wants to make a contribution to promoting biodiversity.

This is because habitat loss and invasive species are making it difficult for the four native crayfish species to survive, the wilderness park announced on Saturday.

According to the press release, crayfish play an important role in the aquatic ecosystem. They serve as food for animals such as large fish, foxes, otters, martens and herons and, as omnivores, break down dead plants or the remains of dead fish.

On Saturday, 40 specimens of the crayfish were released. Further crayfish are to be released every fall until 2026.

The fact that the Tomenrainbach stream in the Sihlwald forest is suitable for the colonization of crayfish was revealed by an analysis conducted by the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) in 2022. The ZHAW researchers found no crayfish populations in the analysis.

However, the fact that the area studied bears the name Chrebsächerli indicates that crayfish used to occur here, according to the wilderness park.

SDA