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San Antonio River Authority launches pilot programs to fight against invasive species
Summary by The San Antonio Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Hannah Gonzales, Santiago Esparza , KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 24, 2026
· 2 min read
The San Antonio River Authority is increasing its efforts to remove invasive apple snails from the San Antonio River, where the fast-reproducing species has threatened the river’s ecosystem and spread by the thousands. Apple snails are native to South America, but they have been found in growing ...
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Summary created by The San Antonio Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Hannah Gonzales, Santiago Esparza, KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 24, 2026 Indexed here Jul 24, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway “They can lay anywhere from 500 to 2,000 eggs every 10 to 14 days,” said Adrian Arroyos, an aquatic biologist with the San Antonio River Authority.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The San Antonio River Authority's efforts to combat invasive apple snails have significant implications for the local ecosystem and community. With nearly 43,000 adult snails and over 118,000 egg clusters removed from the San Antonio River since 2019, the authority's pilot programs aim to disrupt the species' rapid reproductive cycle. The frequency of removal efforts has been increased to every 10 days, demonstrating the authority's adaptability in addressing this environmental issue. The partnership with local pet shops, such as Papa Jim's Tropical Fish, to accept unwanted aquariums and aquatic pets free of charge, also highlights the importance of community involvement in preventing further invasions. As the river authority collects and reviews data on the pilot programs' effectiveness, residents can expect to see continued efforts to protect the San Antonio River's ecosystem, which is crucial for maintaining the city's natural beauty and recreational opportunities.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 24, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The San Antonio River Authority is increasing its efforts to remove invasive apple snails from the San Antonio River, where the fast-reproducing species has threatened the river’s ecosystem and spread by the thousands. Apple snails are native to South America, but they have been found in growing ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 24, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Hannah Gonzales, Santiago Esparza at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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