Wildlife Welfare

Wild River Lamprey Welfare

River lampreys are ancient fish whose welfare is affected by river barriers, pollution, and loss of the clean gravel spawning beds they require.

Key Facts

Lampreys are one of the most primitive vertebrate groups, pre-dating bony fish by hundreds of millions of years
They require clean gravel beds for spawning and sand beds for burrowing juvenile stages
River barriers prevent migration between spawning and feeding habitats
EU Habitats Directive provides legal protection for lamprey species across their range
River restoration removing barriers and improving water quality supports lamprey recovery

Welfare Considerations

Lamprey welfare and conservation represent an opportunity to protect one of evolution's most remarkable survivors. Clean rivers with unobstructed migration routes and undisturbed spawning gravels support lamprey welfare alongside many other freshwater species.

What You Can Do

Support river restoration and barrier removal programs
Advocate for water quality standards that protect clean gravel habitats
Participate in lamprey monitoring programs through local rivers trusts