🌊😱 Alert from Cosmeston Country Park in Penarth! DNA tests have thrown up a potential issue: ‘killer shrimp’ could be lurking in the lakes! Known officially as Dikerogammarus villosus, these little critters might sound harmless, but they’re notorious for causing ecological chaos by reducing biodiversity.
Native to eastern Europe, these shrimp have made their way west and were first spotted in Wales back in 2010. Now, August’s testing by Natural Resources Wales has hinted they might reside in Cosmeston’s waters. But don’t panic just yet! More tests are in the pipeline to verify if these invaders are indeed in our backyard or if a case of mistaken identity has occurred with non-invasive relatives.
👀 The local council is on high alert, taking action to get to the bottom of it. They’ve pledged to keep testing through winter and continue DNA and physical sampling. No shrimp have been found yet, just some clues in the water. Meanwhile, strict biosecurity protocols are in place, especially after the recent Aqua Park saga that had nature lovers on edge.
🛑 A woolly hat tip to the Vale of Glamorgan Council for sticking to rigorous cleaning and access measures to prevent any unwanted guests from making Cosmeston their pad. For now, all eyes, and tests, are on those lakes. Let’s see how this pans out!
Stay tuned for updates and share your thoughts below! 🌿🐟