Home / Environment / Extinct Tadpole Shrimp Rediscovered in Scotland After 75 Years
Extinct Tadpole Shrimp Rediscovered in Scotland After 75 Years
31 Oct
Summary
- Tadpole shrimp, a "living fossil", rediscovered in Scotland
- Last spotted in 1948, now found at RSPB Scotland Mersehead
- Reintroduction efforts led to the species' return to the UK
On October 31, 2025, a remarkable discovery was made in Scotland: the tadpole shrimp, a species believed to have been extinct in the UK for over 75 years, has been rediscovered at RSPB Scotland Mersehead in Dumfries. This "living fossil", one of the oldest animal species in the world, was last spotted in the region in 1948, with its population thought to have been eradicated in the 1960s.
However, over the past two years, conservation efforts have led to the reintroduction of tadpole shrimp eggs at select locations in Mersehead. The recent wet weather conditions have provided the necessary rehydration for these eggs to hatch, and now two adult tadpole shrimps have been spotted at the site for the first time since the mid-20th century.
Craig Macadam, Conservation Director at Buglife, has hailed this as an exciting update, stating that "Bringing this species back to Mersehead is the culmination of many years of surveys, research and preparation by many organizations and individuals." This success story is a testament to the ongoing efforts to restore and value Scotland's natural heritage, as highlighted by Nick Halfhide, Chief Executive of NatureScot, the lead partner for the "Species on the Edge" project.
