In a significant breakthrough for freshwater fish conservation, eggs from the rare boxer pupfish—believed to be extinct in the wild—have successfully hatched at Bristol Zoological Society.
The charity received over 50 eggs from Whipsnade Zoo before Christmas as part of a vital effort to safeguard the species. Now, the tiny fish, measuring just a centimeter long, are thriving under expert care.
“This really is a triumphant milestone,” said Tamara Canalejas of Bristol Zoological Society. “The insights we’ve gained from these egg transfers will help establish new viable populations.”
Native to Mexico’s Lake Chichancanab, boxer pupfish (Cyprinodon simus) have not been seen in the wild for more than two years, likely due to invasive species such as the Mayan cichlid. With Whipsnade Zoo previously holding the only known population, this new breeding program is crucial for the species’ survival.
Brian Zimmerman, director of conservation and science at Bristol Zoological Society, emphasized the importance of the initiative: “By strengthening numbers across multiple institutions, we ensure the species survives, even if lost in the wild.”
The next step is breeding between the two collections, with a goal of reaching at least 100 individuals and maintaining a stable population for the future.