Zanollo Criticizes Media for Focusing on Torpedo Instead of Invasive Crayfish in Desenzano

WWF Bergamo Brescia’s Paolo Zanollo criticizes media focus on the invasive catfish (siluro) over the Louisiana crayfish (Procambarus clarkii), which poses a greater ecological threat. Despite scientific data showing 42-45 invasive species in the basin, media coverage has largely ignored incidents like the September 2024 mass crayfish stranding near Desenzano, favoring coverage of the siluro between 2025 and 2026.

Zanollo emphasizes that the Louisiana crayfish is among the top 100 invasive species globally, capable of damaging ecosystems by preying on native species, burrowing destabilization, and transmitting diseases like Aphanomyces astaci. He highlights that public and financial attention remains disproportionately directed at the siluro, despite studies indicating invertebrates as the most invasive and impactful species in the region.
Italian Version