Pedder Galaxias – Saving A Fish From Extinction
The Pedder Galaxias, a Tasmanian fish, only lived in Lake Pedder and was expected to die out after the Lake was flooded for a hydro electric scheme in the 70′s. After flooding, the lake was stocked with brown trout for recreational angling. This is a large predator species which preyed on Pedder galaxias. Thankfully, the fish is still alive, though not in its original habitat.
Scientists flew a small group of the small golden coloured native fish from Lake Pedder to a Lake Oberon in a nearby mountain range where they are thriving.
Given the success of this translocation, some of the fish have been moved to another lake at nearby Strathgordon, but the fish there do not seem to be breeding.
But with so many living fish living at Lake Oberon there is confidence the Pedder Galaxias has been saved from extinction … though it continues to be listed as Australia’s most endangered freshwater fish. [Via]
