Salvelinus willoughbii
CR

Salvelinus willoughbii

Local name: Willoughby’s Charr

DecliningENEUENEU

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvelinus_willughbii

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Salvelinus willoughbii faces severe threats from habitat degradation and water quality deterioration in its limited alpine lake systems. The species is particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts that alter water temperature and oxygen levels in its high-altitude freshwater habitats. Introduced non-native fish species pose additional competitive pressure, while the species' extremely restricted range makes any local disturbance potentially catastrophic for the entire population.

Threat summary

Habitat

This critically endangered char inhabits cold, oligotrophic alpine lakes and associated tributaries at high elevations. The species requires pristine freshwater environments with specific temperature and oxygen conditions typical of montane lake ecosystems.

Marine oceanic· majorWetlands (inland)· majorWetlands (inland) - Permanent rivers/streams· majorWetlands (inland) - Permanent freshwater lakes· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSpecies recoveryAwareness & communications

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Willoughby’s Charr classified as Critically Endangered?
Willoughby’s Charr is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Salvelinus willoughbii faces severe threats from habitat degradation and water quality deterioration in its limited alpine lake systems. The species is particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts that alter water temperature and oxygen levels in its high-altitude freshwater habitats. Introduced non-native fish species pose additional competitive pressure, while the species' extremely restricted range makes any local disturbance potentially catastrophic for the entire population.
Where does Willoughby’s Charr live?
Willoughby’s Charr occurs in United Kingdom. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Willoughby’s Charr?
The main threats to Willoughby’s Charr are 11.1, 11.4, 2.1, and 8.1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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