Few things trigger louder or more distressing alarm bells among freshwater biologists than watching a waterway dry up during a severe, prolonged drought. That’s especially true when the disappearing stream is home to one of America’s most-imperiled fish. In late July, reports of dramatically withered streams atop Walden Ridge north of Chattanooga spurred an emergency rescue operation to prevent the extinction of the federally endangered Laurel Dace, which scientists consider to be among the 10 most-at-risk fish in North America.
This effort was carried out by representatives from the Tennessee Aquarium, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the University of Georgia’s River Basin Center in coordination with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
In all, 105 adult Laurel Dace were removed from dangerously dry streams and successfully relocated to the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute (TNACI) near downtown Chattanooga. All but one of the collected fish survived the relocation and are now thriving in temporary human care, where they will remain until conditions in their few native streams are sufficiently improved for them to be returned safely. “The Laurel Dace are doing great,” says Abbey Holsopple, the Aquarium’s recovery biologist.
“They almost seem relieved to have fresh, clean water and plentiful food sources, which they weren't getting in the wild during the drought.” Even if it’s in the species’ best interest, any decision by wildlife mana.