Conservation authorities in the American South are warning of a new invasive species infesting a popular lake.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources in the United States is asking boaters and anglers to be on the lookout for an invasive snail species in Lake Lanier just outside of Atlanta.
DNR’s Wildlife Resources Division fears the Asian snail species recently discovered in the lake could be multiplying rapidly in numbers.
“While we initially hoped that this was an individual specimen found on Lanier, further investigation indicated that this is a viable, reproducing population of snails,” said WRD specialist Jim Paige in a release.
Georgia wildlife authorities say the intruder is the “Chinese/Japanese mystery snail” of the genus Cipangopaludina. WRD says the species has already been discovered in other bodies of water in the state, but this is the first time it’s been confirmed to inhabit Lake Lanier.
The invasive is likely spreading in the state the same way other nuisance mussel species such as zebra mussels are—boaters relaunching their vessels into waters without cleaning and drying their boats.
The state agency is again urging boaters to please “clean, drain, and dry your boat after use, and be aware of the potential for transferring these invasive mussels from waters in other states.”
Several popular parks are located on the shores of Lake Lanier, including Balus Creek Park, Vanns Tavern Park, Keith Bridge Park, Two Mile Creek Park, Buford Dam Park, and more. The lake is also home to numerous campsites and marinas.
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