The freshwater pearl mussel can live for more than 100 years. Formerly widespread and abundant, its numbers have severely declined, and the pearl mussels in the River Esk now make up the last surviving population in Yorkshire.
The mussels reproduce by natural encystment - the young attach themselves to the gills of young salmon and trout - but the ageing River Esk mussels require a helping hand.
In August 2014, our Conservation team and Environment Agency staff joined forces on 'Encystment Day' - putting the juvenile fish in containers with fertile female mussels to encourage encystment.
Filmed on the River Esk - 15 August 2014
For more, see www.northyorkmo... and northyorkmoors...
Thumbnail image: Ami Walker
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