A SCOTTISH river is to be replenished with 200 freshwater pearl mussels, as part of a plan to save the threatened species.
Despite being legally protected, the freshwater pearl mussel is on the brink of extinction, as a result of illegal fishing, industrial and agricultural pollution and loss of habitat.
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has now released adult mussels
into a river at a secret location, from which they have disappeared.
Pearl mussel larvae will also be used to reintroduce the species to another river, where they will be allowed to attach themselves to wild juvenile salmon under controlled conditions before the fish are released back into the river.
The move is supported by the National Wildlife Crime Unit which is backing the launch of a leaflet highlighting the threat facing pearl mussels.
Roseanna Cunningham, the environment minister, said the project is vital if sustainable populations of freshwater pearl mussels are to survive and breed in Scotland's rivers: "The freshwater pearl mussel has been synonymous with Scotland since the time of our crown jewels and is an indicator of cleanliness, for if there are plenty of mussels in a river system, it is certain that water quality is excellent."
Pearl mussels were removed from a healthy population in Lochaber for the project but during preparatory work a number were found to have been killed by pearl fishers.
Iain Sime of SNH said the reintroduction is taking place in the west of Scotland: "We cannot be specific about these locations because if we are, unscrupulous pearl fishers will move in and almost certainly destroy the whole colony."
