At Bristol Zoological Society in England, 29 rare boxer pupfish eggs have hatched, which is a significant milestone in saving the species. Scientists are pleased, referring to it as ‘a triumphant milestone’ in the field of freshwater conservation.
A Fish On The Brink
The boxer pupfish, found only in Lake Chichancanab, Mexico, has seemed nonexistent in the wild for more than two years. It has become endangered due to territory demolition and competitive invaders. Because of this, scientists were almost certain that the fish was facing extinction.
A Race Against Time
In November, experts at Whipsnade Zoo realized that they may have possessed the last remaining boxer pupfish in the world. Understanding the consequences of this, they had to come up with a way of maintaining and preserving the species.
The Last Hope: 50 Precious Eggs
Whipsnade Zoo sent 50 Cyprinodon simus eggs to the Bristol Zoological Society immediately before the Christmas break. The purpose was to keep them safe until they hatched and then rebuild the species up from zero again.
A Delicate Process
Scientists invested time and energy into putting the eggs into small containers with water to perfectly mimic the ideal environment for the eggs to hatch. They waited a long time but soon enough, the first signs of life began to reveal themselves.
29 New Lives
More than half of the eggs hatched successfully. The fish are only a few centimeters long, but they are doing well and are a source of hope for the species for scientists.
Why Did They Disappear?
One of the main reasons for the descending numbers of boxer pupfish fish is the invasion of the Mayan cichlids and other fish into their environments. These predators competed for food with the boxer pupfish, almost driving the latter to extinction.
The Role Of Conservation Zoos
“When a species is wiped out in the wild, the only hope for its survival depends on conservation zoos,” said Alex Cliffe of Whipsnade Zoo. The team has professed that these fish should not, under their authority, become extinct.
What’s Next?
The Bristol Zoological Society intends to grow the endangered fish species’ numbers across a variety of facilities. They aim to breed them in captivity and produce a certain number that can possibly be released back into the wild.
Returning To The Wild
The conservation team is planning a trip to Mexico to work with local communities. They aim to find any surviving boxer pupfish for future re-introduction attempts.
A Proven Approach
The Bristol team has already saved other species. They have helped reintroduce the Partula snail and the Desertas Island land snail. These are real examples that showcase that conservation efforts can effectively lead to extinction reversal.
Why This Matters
Safeguarding species like the boxer pupfish is not just a matter of conserving one fish; it’s a matter of preserving entire ecosystems. Each species has its place in nature’s overall balance.
A Reason To Celebrate
Although there is more to do, this is a great example of the positive and real effects of conservation. Due to the efforts and knowledge of the zoos, a species that was once facing extinction now has a chance at survival.
