Friday, 20 June 2014

They're Back! Endangered Fish Spawns in Grand Canyon

By Becky Oskin, Senior Writer | June 18, 2014 06:44pm ET

After returning to the lower Colorado River in 2012 after a 22-year absence, the endangered razorback sucker fish is now spawning in Grand Canyon National Park, scientists announced today (June 18).

An adult razorback sucker fish.
Credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Biologists discovered larval razorback suckers in April and May at nine spots along the iconic Colorado River, which is home to several critically endangered fish species found nowhere else in the world.

"Razorback suckers continue to surprise us in Grand Canyon [National Park]— first with the discovery of adults after 20 years of absence, and now with spawning within the park," Brian Healy, fisheries program manager for the national park, said in a statement. "We're all hoping to see evidence that these larval fish survive to adulthood in the coming years."

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