Photo: San Antonio Zoo
San Antonio Zoo's aquarium team has achieved a milestone by becoming the first in the world to successfully reproduce the Conchos Pupfish (Cyprinodon eximus) in human care. This groundbreaking achievement marks a significant step forward in the conservation of this threatened species.
The Conchos Pupfish, listed by the state of Texas, Mexico, and the American Fisheries Society, faces numerous challenges, such as habitat destruction, drought, and increased water usage. The limited distribution of these pupfish further exacerbates the urgency to protect and ensure their survival.
In an exceptional collaboration with biologists from the Inland Fisheries Department at Texas Parks and Wildlife, San Antonio Zoo's aquarium team selected 100 Conchos Pupfish from the Devils River in West Texas. With the goal of reintroducing offspring into improved habitats in the Devils River and Rio Grande tributaries, the team's tireless efforts have resulted in successfully breeding and propagating these rare fish species.
This significant achievement has garnered recognition from the Zoological Association of America (ZAA), which honored San Antonio Zoo's aquarium team with the prestigious 2020 Ex Situ Conservation award. The award symbolizes their exceptional contributions to animal species' welfare, propagation, and caretivity, serving as a vital safeguard against extinction.
"We are immensely proud of our aquarium team's successful breeding and conservation efforts," said Tim Morrow, President & CEO of San Antonio Zoo. "Our mission is centered around preserving wildlife and wild places, and this historic accomplishment with the Conchos Pupfish exemplifies our commitment to their survival, no matter the size."