{"id":41462,"date":"2024-11-04T12:54:44","date_gmt":"2024-11-04T11:54:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/f8b7e526-a980-4532-9b47-fd6fe947750b"},"modified":"2024-11-04T13:26:39","modified_gmt":"2024-11-04T12:26:39","slug":"scientists-are-breeding-huge-leeches-in-london-and-soon-theyre-going-to-release-them","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/scientists-are-breeding-huge-leeches-in-london-and-soon-theyre-going-to-release-them\/","title":{"rendered":"Scientists are breeding huge leeches in London \u2013 and soon they’re going to release them"},"content":{"rendered":"

The researchers are trying to save the UK\u2019s largest native leech from extinction. <\/p>

By <\/p>

Published: Monday, 04 November 2024 at 11:54 AM<\/p>

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The medicinal leech was once an abundant species in the UK, but a combination of medical trade, changes in land use and the drainage of wetlands has left it on the brink of extinction. Today, only four populations can be found in the UK.<\/strong><\/p>

In a bid to save the species, conservations from ZSL London Zoo<\/a> and the Freshwater Habitats Trust<\/a> have bred over 40 leeches at the city zoo. It is hoped that the breeding program will help raise awareness of the leeches, before they are reintroduced back into the wild.<\/p>