Overview

• Scientists at the Naturkundemuseum Leipzig confirmed on June 24 that Procambarus clarkii has been found in northeastern Leipzig waters, marking its first appearance in Saxony.
• After an initial discovery of 25 specimens in 2024, a new sighting in May 2025 suggests the species is establishing itself in multiple Leipzig water bodies.
• The invader’s aggressive behavior and adaptability, coupled with its role as a carrier of lethal crayfish plague, endanger native crayfish, amphibians and the balance of local ecosystems.
• The species has spread rapidly in Germany since 2017, becoming a significant issue in Berlin, and has been banned from distribution and breeding across the European Union since 2016.
• The Naturkundemuseum Leipzig is calling on the public to report any crayfish sightings in Leipzig or wider Saxony, preferably with photographs to aid species identification.