10 animals that should NOT be in the UK - Non-Native Species

The introduction of non-native species can have significant ecological and economic impacts on native wildlife and ecosystems. Here are 10 examples of non-native species that are considered problematic and should not be present in the UK:

Asian hornet (Vespa velutina): This invasive species preys on honeybees and poses a threat to native pollinators.

Signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus): Signal crayfish outcompete and spread diseases to native crayfish populations, leading to their decline.

Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica): An aggressive plant species that spreads rapidly, damaging infrastructure and outcompeting native plants.

American mink (Neovison vison): Escapees from fur farms, American mink have had detrimental effects on native water voles and other small mammals.

Floating pennywort (Hydrocotyle ranunculoides): An aquatic plant that can grow rapidly, forming dense mats and disrupting native plant communities.

Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera): This plant species spreads rapidly along riverbanks, crowding out native vegetation.

Ruddy duck (Oxyura jamaicensis): Originally introduced for ornamental purposes, ruddy ducks hybridize with the endangered white-headed duck and pose a threat to its population.

Grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis): Grey squirrels outcompete native red squirrels for food and habitat and also carry a disease lethal to red squirrels.

American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus): Bullfrogs are voracious predators that can negatively impact native amphibians and their ecosystems.

Zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha): This invasive mussel species can outcompete and smother native mussel populations, affecting water quality and biodiversity.

Efforts are made in the UK to manage and control these non-native species to minimize their impact on native wildlife and ecosystems.