Interesting findings by Oregon State University Prof. Sam Chan. When her queried some 2,000 teachers that had run science projects that required the release of the studied critters after the completion of the project…many released them into their immediate environment. Problem is they maybe should not be in that environment.

Apparently, wildlife officials had been baffled by Lousiana crayfish being found in N.E. Oregon waters. Crayfish, gold fish, assorted other non-native-invasive species have been released in that feel good moment by the students and teachers. Now, vendors of critters to science project teachers are releasing instructions to ‘clueless’ teachers on how to dispose of the critters. (Oregonian article by Ian Campbell)

Well, at least our Invasive Gold Fish populations are thriving.