Around 100 juvenile freshwater pearl mussels have been released into a restored tributary of the River Dee.
The mussels, one of Wales' most endangered species, were released on June 22 as part of the LIFE Dee River project and bred at Natural Resources Wales’ Cynrig hatchery.
The species is considered functionally extinct in many rivers due to historic habitat loss, declining water quality and barriers to their complex life cycle.
Gethin Morris, senior river restoration officer for the LIFE Dee River Project, said: "Freshwater pearl mussels play an important role in river ecosystems.
"As filter feeders, they help improve water quality by removing fine particles from the water column and are considered indicators of healthy river environments.
"This release forms part of a long-term programme to restore self-sustaining populations within the Dee catchment.
"The mussels will now be monitored regularly to assess their survival and development in natural conditions."
Freshwater pearl mussels can live for more than 100 years, yet young individuals have become increasingly rare in the wild.
The mussels were moved to an undisclosed site in the Dee catchment following significant restoration work that improved the habitat to support their survival and growth.
Measures included cleaning gravels, stabilising riverbeds, and boosting water quality.
The River Dee is recognised as one of Wales' most important freshwater ecosystems and is designated a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) for species including the freshwater pearl mussel, Atlantic salmon, lamprey, and otter.
Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr Community Council has expressed its support for the project.
Carol Humphreys, a representative of the council, said: "Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr community council is pleased to support this project, it speaks volumes that the area is suitable to be used to place these special mussels here in the Alwen river".
Since its launch, the LIFE Dee River project has delivered restoration across the catchment, including the planting of 20,000 trees, installing 840 metres of natural bank stabilisation, and adding 8,430 tonnes of gravel, boulders, and woody material to the river.
Other improvements include 46.5 kilometres of fencing to protect riverside corridors, 14 upgraded forest drain culverts, the removal of 13 barriers to support fish migration, and the installation of a new forestry river crossing.
The LIFE Dee River project is led by Natural Resources Wales and funded by the EU LIFE Programme, Welsh Government, Environment Agency, Eryri National Park Authority, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, and the River Restoration Centre.
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