大象传媒 Scotland - 大象传媒 Scotland - 鈥楻arer than a giant panda鈥�: the creature that could land you a 拢5,000 fine or 6 months in prison if you stole its precious pearl

鈥楻arer than a giant panda鈥�: the creature that could land you a 拢5,000 fine or 6 months in prison if you stole its precious pearl

25 September 2018

The Scottish freshwater pearl mussel is a species so endangered that Landward presenter Euan was unable to give the location of his film about the river-dwelling creature.

This type of mussel is so rare due to people collecting them in order to pries the precious pearl from within.

Iain Sime from Scottish Natural Heritage and Police Constable Andy Courts showed the measures that are being taken to help protect the mussel in a bid to increase its population.

Euan looks for freshwater pearl mussels

The mussels are so rare that Euan is unable to disclose his location.

Iain from Scottish Natural Heritage explained just how sought-after Scottish freshwater pearls were.

“Fishermen would destroy hundreds, if not thousands, of mussels to find the rare one that held a precious glossy pearl within.”

Taking mussels was banned in 1998, but the population still hasn't recovered.

“There's so few of them because they’re very sensitive to disturbance, particularly from water quality ...they're such a slow-growing animal; it takes a long time to recover.

Even though the persecution of the mussels is happening in remote spots, it’s still very much on the radar of the police – with Constable Andy Courts explaining some of the penalties poachers can expect:-

“They can get up to £5,000 fine or six months in jail for killing, injuring, or taking a freshwater pearl mussel; being found in possession of a pearl; or even being in possession a mussel shell. The fine is per shell or mussel – so you’re looking at a significant impact on your finances there, or a good stretch inside for those thinking of poaching the rare mussels.”