Scientists are breeding huge leeches in London – and soon they're going to release them

Scientists are breeding huge leeches in London – and soon they're going to release them

The researchers are trying to save the UK’s largest native leech from extinction.

Megan Shersby

Published: November 4, 2024 at 11:54 am

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.

In a bid to save the species, conservations from ZSL London Zoo and the Freshwater Habitats Trust 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.

Medicinal leech: collected and bred

Leech recovery in Dorset and infant leeches at London Zoo/Freshwater Habitats Trust and London Zoo

Main image: adult medicinal leech at London Zoo's Tiny Giants habitat/London Zoo.

Megan Shersby

Naturalist, writer and content creator

Megan is a naturalist, writer and content creator. She is also a bookworm and a keen board gamer. She is the former editorial and digital co-ordinator at BBC Wildlife, and wrote features and sections for both the print magazine and discoverwildlife.com, including the Q&A and Go Wild sections, Poo Corner and News Species Discovery, the weekly e-newsletter and the social media accounts. Her features have included olms (cave salamanders) in Slovenia, arapaima (very big fish) in Guyana, and the role of hippos as ecosystem engineers in Zambia. She has also contributed to the website and magazine of BBC Countryfile Magazine, and has hosted some its podcast episodes. Prior to joining BBC Wildlife in 2016, she gained a degree in BSc(Hons) Animal Science, undertook behavioural research on zebras and dwarf mongooses, and worked in environmental education for a number of conservation charities.
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