A rare freshwater fish species was believed to have gone extinct 80 years ago. However, on Friday, January 31, the journal Zootaxa announced that it was rediscovered in the same river in India where it was last seen almost a century ago.
80 Years In Hiding
After 80 years in hiding, researchers made a surprising discovery in a remote Himalayan river. The Chel snakehead, which is a stunning fish that is characterized by its colorful scales and massive size, has evaded science for decades, but was rediscovered in the Himalayan region of India.
The Himalayan Region
The last recorded specimens were collected between 1918 and 1933 in the Himalayan region of India. But since then, despite extensive searches, scientists were unable to find any trace of the fish, leading to the belief that it had vanished for good.
See For Themselves
However, in 2024, local tribes claimed that they had seen the fish. Researchers ventured into the Chel River in West Bengal, eager to see the fish for themselves. They soon found three live specimens and took photographic evidence to confirm that the Chel snakehead was alive and well.
Exciting News
Forrest Galante, an adventurer and television host, took to social media to share the exciting news, writing, “We are thrilled to announce the rediscovery of Channa amphibeus, one of the world’s rarest and most elusive snakehead species!”
Its Mythical Status
“Described in 1840 from the Chel River system, the species was last recorded over 80 years ago despite repeated searches and scientific efforts in the interim, leading some to consider it extinct and cementing its mythical status in ichthyology,” he wrote.
A Large And Vibrant Species
“Commonly known as the Chel Snakehead, this large and vibrant species is distinguished by chrome-yellow to orange stripes, a bright neon patch beneath the eye, and the highest number of lateral-line scales among all snakeheads of the Gachua group.”
The Chel River System
The discovery was made in Kalimpong, a town in the Himalayan foothills. The fish was found in the Chel River system, where it was last seen 80 years ago. Researchers had learned that locals had reportedly been consuming the species.
A Long-Standing Mystery
Tejas Thackeray, founder of the Thackeray Wildlife Foundation, spoke about the significance of this discovery. “The resolution of this long-standing mystery reinforces the importance of continued exploration and highlights the persistence of biodiversity, even in species once thought lost to time,” he wrote on social media.
Traditional Knowledge
The rediscovery also shows the importance of traditional knowledge in conservation. Researchers were only able to find the species after listening to reports from Indigenous communities, which helped them refine their search efforts.
How Did It Stay Hidden For So Long?
Scientists suggest that the fish remained undetected for so long due to its remote habitat and the river’s fast-moving waters, which made it difficult for researchers to locate the fish. However, it is important to note that deforestation, pollution, and habitat loss continue to endanger the region’s overall biodiversity.
Further Research
Conservationists and the Thackeray Wildlife Foundation are doing everything in their power to evaluate the Chel snakehead’s population size, behavior, and ecological needs. It is important to protect the species and its habitat to ensure that it doesn’t slip back into obscurity.
Hope For Conservation
As more species that were previously thought to be extinct resurface, scientists emphasize the need for stronger habitat protection measures. The Chel River system, like many other freshwater ecosystems, faces increasing threats from human activity. Researchers hope that this remarkable find will lead to conservation initiatives that also help preserve the balance of the river’s ecosystem for generations to come.
