The white-clawed crayfish is the UK’s only native freshwater crayfish, but their survival is under threat.

Thought to have drastically declined within Hampshire since the 1970s, we must take action to save this species or risk them being lost from our precious chalk streams forever. These unimposing little crustaceans are critical to maintaining chalk stream ecosystems and without them, the delicate natural balance could be completely thrown out.

To support their survival, we plan to open a brand-new Conservation Breeding Centre at Marwell, helping to increase their numbers and providing a safe haven before they can be released into ark sites or back into wild populations within Hampshire.

Our new Conservation Breeding Centre will not only be an important facility for breeding and rearing crayfish for release, but it will also be an important awareness and engagement hub locally. Guests to Marwell Zoo will have the opportunity to view crayfish, observe our work and learn about the importance of our local Hampshire chalk streams and how we can all take action to protect them.

Find out more you can visit Marwell Wildlife's Support our Claws campaign page.