Endangered Pearl Mussels Recovering in UK

A multimillion-pound reintroduction programme to help endangered pearl mussels has been hailed a success by a conservation organisation.

Natural England invested £13m in targeted projects, including boosting freshwater pearl mussels in Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and Durham.

A single adult mussel can filter 50 litres of river water a day and they remove bacteria that threaten aquatic ecosystems.

Ginny Swaile, of Natural England, said the pearl mussel project is "proving that saving endangered species and improving water quality are not separate goals".

Mussels, which can live for more than half a century, have been reintroduced across the north of England and Cumbria which hosts 90% of the wild population.

SOURCE: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1mp3zzgyr5o