Almost 300 specimens of an invasive exotic species detected in the frog pond of García Sanabria Park


Almost 300 specimens of a crayfish (Procambarus fallax virginalis) native to the United States have been detected in the frog pond in the García Sanabria park in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The Neotropic Foundation, the only exotic fauna center in the Canary Islands, is collaborating with the capital’s City Council in the detection and removal of the located species.

“We received the first notice over the weekend. On Monday we started preparing the device. We expected to find 15 copies, not almost 300,” the organization informs this newspaper. This past Tuesday, they acted at the scene and removed more than 250 live animals. In August of last year there were also about three specimens.


It is an invasive exotic species that entails some difficulty given that all specimens are female, which means that they reproduce quickly as they do not require the intervention of a male. “We are saying that even if 1% of the population remained, 100% could be regenerated,” they say.

The procedure for their removal consists of emptying the pond where they are located. A survey will also be carried out in the rest of the park’s ponds in case there are more specimens. “The crabs are going to be removed manually and it is going to be left dry for a couple of days, until it is verified that there are none left.”

Although in Spain it is not classified as an invasive alien species, the European Union considers it a worrying invasive alien species. Its appearance is related to “someone releasing it.” “It is a species that for many years has been sold as an aquarium species, in a recreational way.” The bad luck, explains the Neotropic Foundation, is that “it is not a natural space, it is a confined space with streets around it and these are not animals that can escape from that area by their own methods.”



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