Unbe-leech-ably successful breeding season at Highland Wildlife Park

A conservation project working to restore Scotland’s population of the extremely rare medicinal leech has celebrated its most successful breeding season yet. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has welcomed the arrival of 30 hatchlings from 12 cocoons at its specially designed breeding facility at Highland Wildlife Park. 

The project, now in its second year, is led by the wildlife conservation charity in partnership with Buglife Scotland and Species on the Edge. Together, the organisations are working to breed medicinal leeches with the aim of reintroducing them to suitable sites across Scotland to help rebuild wild populations and reverse the species’ long-term decline. 

RZSS deputy head of conservation, Dr Helen Taylor said: “It is incredibly rewarding to see so many hatchlings after months of careful work by our dedicated teams. Medicinal leeches are often misunderstood, but they are a fascinating and beautiful species that play an important role in healthy wetland ecosystems. 

“This year’s hatchlings are thriving and growing rapidly, with most having doubled or even tripled in size already. It is amazing to think that these tiny individuals could one day help the species recover in the wild.” 

Once widespread across Scotland, medicinal leeches suffered severe population declines due to centuries of over-harvesting for use in traditional medicine. Habitat loss, pollution and changes in land management have further reduced their numbers and today the species is known from only three locations in the country. 

By breeding and releasing medicinal leeches into carefully selected sites, RZSS and its partners hope to give this unique and ecologically valuable species a chance to recover and reclaim its place in Scotland’s natural heritage.