1,300 Endangered Clams Rescued After Valencia Flood Destroys Habitat

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A devastating flood in Valencia's Magro River destroyed the Madre de Real irrigation ditch, threatening rare freshwater clams' survival.

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El Palmar Aquaculture Center and Oceanogràfic Valencia rescued 1,300 endangered petxinots from the destroyed habitat

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The irrigation channel served as breeding ground for two endangered species: Unio mancus and Potomida littoralis

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These filter-feeding bivalves naturally purify water and indicate river ecosystem health through their presence

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Valencia's irrigation infrastructure provides crucial refuge for these endangered species amid habitat loss from pollution

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Oceanogràfic's controlled environment now houses the rescued clams, simulating their natural habitat for recovery

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Scientists tagged 500 clams with unique codes and recorded their size measurements for ongoing research

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Two releases of rescued clams occurred in pre-assessed safe river zones, with monitoring for growth and reproduction

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The species' decline extends beyond Valencia, with European classification as vulnerable on IUCN Red List

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A three-year collaboration between Oceanogràfic and Ministry of Environment focuses on controlled breeding techniques

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