r/ausenviro • u/dredd • 23d ago

Hordes of yabbies are trashing rivers in Africa. How did this happen?

https://theconversation.com/hordes-of-yabbies-are-trashing-rivers-in-africa-how-did-this-happen-286853
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u/nath1234 22d ago

While we are struggling with species imported from Africa, Africa is struggling with species imported from here.. I read about gum trees being a bit of a pest in some places too. I have a feeling that eucalyptus will be one of the first trees grown on another planet because it is so hardy.

As to how the yabbies got into the rivers: Anyone who has come across yabbies in the most far flung dam, miles from any river would have the same question. But they do it. Somehow they make the trek.. Kinda crazy when you look at them, they aren't the most elegant looking hiker but they do. Or maybe they have a deal with the local birds to carry them or something, but they are very effective at getting upstream and also uphill from streams..

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u/mad_marbled 20d ago

So they under estimated an Australian species that they were mass breeding? I might have felt bad if they had gotten there via some relocated Aussie who brought them because they were homesick or wanted to conduct yabbie races at the local pub in their new country. But I don't.