Major progress in the eradication of invasive and destructive Apple Snails from Langan Park lakes

Major progress in the eradication of invasive and destructive Apple Snails from Langan Park lakes and the 3 Mile Creek Watershed! Apple Snail populations and reproduction are down after MBNEP-contracted teams from Osprey Initiative and American Sport Fish began a multi-pronged approach to eradicating the snails. MBNEP’s Three Mile Creek Watershed Management Plan first identified the management and eradication of invasive Island Apple Snails at Langan Park lakes as a key priority. Our teams now hope to have the snails completely knocked out within a year, so that efforts can then be redeployed downstream, preventing the destructive creatures from reaching the Delta. More information about Apple Snails: The Island Apple Snail (Pomacea maculata) is a highly invasive aquatic snail from South America that has taken over the lakes at Langan Park. Island Apple Snails were first seen in Langan Park in 2003 and are thought to have been introduced by people releasing them from their aquariums. They colonize quickly- Bright pink egg masses containing up to 2,000 eggs are laid by females every few days and eggs hatch after within two weeks of being laid. They destroy habitats- Apple Snails eat large amounts of vegetation and turn an aquatic plant-based system into an aquatic desert. Some of these snails have already made their way downstream in Three Mile Creek and they pose a huge threat to the Mobile Tensaw Delta if they continue to spread. For more information about our Three Mile Creek plan, go to: http://www.mobilebaynep.com/.../three_mile_creek_watershed/