LIFE CLAW project concludes native crayfish conservation in Italy

The LIFE CLAW project, a seven-year initiative co-funded by the European Union, has concluded its efforts to conserve the native white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) in the northwestern Apennines of Italy.

Throughout the project, approximately 10,500 juveniles bred in controlled environments were introduced into 13 strategic sites across the Emilia-Romagna, Liguria, and Tuscany regions. These locations included Corniglio, Monchio delle Corti, Frignoli, and Fontanigorda. Monitoring through night surveys and eDNA testing has confirmed the successful acclimation of the species, with the first new generation born in the wild documented in the Parma Apennines in 2025.

The integrated approach involved habitat protection, invasive species control, and the establishment of four ex situ breeding facilities equipped with anti-predation systems. The project utilized advanced scientific research, including sequencing techniques, to analyze various populations and ensure the long-term viability of the species against threats such as invasive American crayfish.