The creature is native to jap Europe however has unfold all through lakes and rivers in western Europe, first being detected in Wales 15 years in the past
Considerations have been raised by members of the Vale of Glamorgan group after DNA testing outcomes advised that killer shrimp may be residing within the water at Cosmeston Nation Park.
Dikerogammarus villosus, extra generally often known as killer shrimp, are an invasive species which have the aptitude to trigger lowered biodiversity and the extinction of native species. In August, 2025, testing accomplished by Pure Assets Wales advised that the species may be current within the lakes on the park in Penarth.
Killer shrimp are native to jap Europe however have unfold all through lakes and rivers in western Europe, first being detected in Wales in 2010.
The species is invasive and poses ecological threats in freshwater environments. For the most important tales in Wales first, signal as much as our every day e-newsletter right here
A spokesperson for Pure Assets Wales confirmed the attainable presence of the crustacean however mentioned additional testing would wish to happen to substantiate.
They mentioned: “We will verify that environmental DNA testing in August, 2025, detected dikerogammarus villosus at Cosmeston Lakes.
“These outcomes recommend the species could also be current, however additional checks are wanted, so we’ve requested the Vale of Glamorgan Council to hold out bodily surveys to substantiate.”
This summer season the Vale of Glamorgan council confronted scrutiny from residents as Aqua Park opened on the east lake on the nation park for eight weeks. There have been a variety of protests and a petition was arrange as issues have been raised concerning the biosecurity of the lake and the impact the inflatables course attraction may need on wildlife.
Earlier than its opening in July, the council confirmed an ecological evaluation undertaken by an unbiased native agency and Pure Assets Wales decided that the water park “could have no vital adverse impression on native birdlife or water vole populations.”
The council has mentioned it’s persevering with to check the lakes to make sure that an correct result’s discovered to find out whether or not there are killer shrimp within the water.
It mentioned: “Testing is continuous to substantiate if the species is current or if a false constructive has occurred via DNA testing as there are a number of comparable non-invasive species which might set off this.
“Bodily sampling of the lake will proceed over the winter to attempt to set up if the species is current and additional DNA sampling will even be undertaken.”
No reside or useless samples of the shrimp have been discovered and up to now the one “indication of its attainable presence is thru preliminary DNA testing of the water.”
They continued: “Given the proximity of Cosmeston to different aquatic environments, the chance of additional introductions stays excessive. To mitigate this, the council enforces strict biosecurity protocols for all lake customers, together with pre and post-use procedures. These measures have been rigorously utilized throughout the latest Aqua Park trial, demonstrating our dedication to stopping additional unfold.”
Pure Assets Wales has suggested the council to “proceed strict biosecurity measures throughout the positioning, supported by clear public steering on tools cleansing and water entry, to assist forestall the unfold of invasive species.”
