Experts deploy 'Trojan' strategy to save rare species from extinction: 'We're excited'
According to Denver Water, efforts to restore the green lineage cutthroat trout — a rare subspecies of Colorado River cutthroat — are showing signs of success.
These fish have been in decline since the mid-1800s because of human activities like mining and logging. Invasive brook trout were also outcompeting native cutthroats. At one point, there were fewer than 40 of them counted in streams.
But a collaborative project between the water company, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and the U.S. Forest Service has more than tripled those numbers. Recent counts show more than 1,400 cutthroats in the creeks, thanks to years of electrofishing (a method that stuns and removes the invasive fish) and dam upgrades designed to block brook trout from swimming upstream.
A new method being tried for the first time in Colorado is also helping — introducing "Trojan trout," or fish that only produce male offspring. Over time, biologists say this technique could naturally eliminate brook trout without harming other species.
Restoring native fish like the cutthroat trout helps protect the balance of entire ecosystems. Unlike the invasive brook trout, the native green lineage cutthroat trout evolved with and has an important role in the local ecosystem.
Losing them could throw the food chain out of balance, impacting other species, water quality, and local communities — all because nature is a web of interconnectivity. The project also shows how human-made problems can be solved through collaborative, innovative efforts.
In Colorado, conservationists will continue to restore the native cutthroats with electrofishing, releasing "Trojan trout," and monitoring the population. On a broader scale, governments, conservation groups, and the public are working together to restore threatened species like bison, seabirds near Madagascar, and Australia's Gilbert's potoroo, a marsupial that was thought to be extinct.
Individuals can help by educating themselves about critical climate issues, supporting clean water policies, and following Leave No Trace principles when enjoying the great outdoors.
"We're excited to be able to help out with this effort to protect the cutthroat trout," said Jason Marks, an environmental planner at Denver Water. "This project is a great example of how multiple agencies can work together and we're all looking forward to more projects down the road."
Should the government be able to control how we heat our homes?
Definitely
Only if it saves money
I'm not sure
No way
Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.
Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Yahoo
Officials warn against eating fish from popular US lakes due to toxic contamination: 'I would have loved to have known that'
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is warning people to limit their consumption of locally caught fish from several popular lakes because of high levels of PFAS –– known as "forever chemicals" –– found there. CBS News Colorado reported on the problem. "I would have loved to have known that," said local Mark McClellan, who fishes regularly at Chatfield Reservoir. PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of highly toxic chemicals contained in everyday products such as nonstick cookware, clothing, toiletries, and food packaging. They don't break down in the environment, so they accumulate over time, and they can accumulate in our bodies when we are exposed to them. People are exposed to PFAS when they consume contaminated food or water. The fish swimming in the Colorado lakes with high levels of PFAS absorb these chemicals, which is why officials are warning against consuming them. We can also be exposed by using products that contain PFAS and inhaling air that has been contaminated. Colorado Parks and Wildlife assisted with the study that determined the dangerous levels of chemicals in the fish and has placed signs at three bodies of water that detail the advisories so people can make informed decisions. PFAS have been linked to a variety of health problems, including cancer, fertility issues, and increased risks of asthma and thyroid disease. These chemicals have been detected in the bodies of 97% of Americans. They are so prevalent because they are used in so many industries, which leads to their release into our water supply, soil, and air. Some businesses are working to reduce the use of PFAS, creating policies to phase them out or eliminating them entirely. By staying informed and supporting companies that are taking steps to protect the environment and reduce their reliance on PFAS, we can reduce our exposure. Local lakegoer Israel Lopez was alarmed and told CBS News Colorado, "I didn't know there were all those chemicals out here in the water." Colorado Environmental Public Health Tracking has more information on consuming fish in the Centennial State. The state health department has not yet considered closing the lakes, stating, "Our focus is on providing people with information so they can enjoy all that Colorado has to offer while reducing their exposure to things that could have negative health effects." Do you worry about having toxic forever chemicals in your home? Majorly Sometimes Not really I don't know enough about them Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Yahoo
Tiny but deadly: Asian needle ants now found in Alabama, experts warn of stings
Watch your step. A venomous ant species is making its way across the country and has been found in Alabama. Asian needle ants have a sting that's not only painful but can trigger serious allergic reactions, even deadly ones, in rare cases. Initially from East Asia, they were detected in the U.S. in 1932. Since then, they've taken hold in the Southeast and are creeping into new regions. Experts warn the ants pose ecological and health risks as they spread. Don't let their size fool you. These ants pack a serious punch. According to the U.S. Forest Service, the most alarming thing about Asian needle ants is their sting. It's not just painful, in some cases, it can trigger life-threatening allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Officials urge caution, especially for people sensitive to bee or ant stings, as they may be more likely to have severe responses. Asian needle ants aren't just showing up in cities, they're invading quiet, undisturbed forests too. They like to nest in logs, leaf litter, under stones and inside piles of debris. But they're just as comfortable near homes and businesses where they hide under mulch, pavers, and landscape timbers. Experts say they are highly adaptable and turning up in more places than ever as Asian needle ants hit their peak in the summer months, especially July and August. Researchers say Asian needle ants are more than just a nuisance, they're changing ecosystems. In areas where they take over, native ants that help spread plant seeds disappear. Without those native ants, many forest plants struggle to reproduce, which could lead to long-term damage to forest health and biodiversity. According to iNaturalist, these are the states where confirmed sightings of Asian needle ants have been reported: Alabama Arkansas Georgia Indiana Kentucky Louisiana Maryland Mississippi New York North Carolina Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina Tennessee Virginia West Virginia Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@ This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Asian needle ants confirmed in Alabama, sting can cause allergic shock
Newsweek
11-06-2025
- Newsweek
Map Shows States Invaded by Ants That Can Cause Life-Threatening Reaction
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Asian needle ants, an invasive species capable of causing life-threatening allergic reactions, have now been detected in at least 21 U.S. states. This species, first found in the U.S. in the 1930s, has established a significant presence from the Southeast to the Northwest, raising alarm among public health and environmental officials. The ants have been reported in states such as Wisconsin, Texas and Washington, according to ant tracking website Why It Matters The expanding presence of Asian needle ants poses a dual threat: immediate health risks due to their potentially deadly stings and long-term environmental disruption. In some individuals, Asian needle ant stings can cause anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction requiring emergency intervention, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Simultaneously, these ants compete with and displace native species, altering local ecosystems essential to agriculture and natural environments in the U.S. What To Know Widespread Detection in the United States The Asian needle ant, whose scientific name is Brachyponera chinensis, has now been verified in at least 21 states, largely concentrated in the northeastern and southeastern regions. Identification and Danger of Stings The Asian needle ant is a small, shiny, dark brown to black insect measuring about 0.2 inches in length, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The end of its antennae and legs are a lighter orange or brown color. The ant can be confused with similar species in the eastern U.S., making it more challenging to positively identify. The sting can cause intense localized pain, redness and hives. In a study in the native range of the Asian needle ant, 2.1 percent of people stung suffered from anaphylaxis. The U.S. Forest Service said the percentage of people in the U.S. who have developed hypersensitivity, or an allergic response that can lead to anaphylaxis, to Asian needle ant stings is unknown. Behavior, Ecology, and Spread Asian needle ants nest under logs, debris, stones, landscaping timbers, pavers, and mulch. The ants do not form easily visible foraging trails, University of Georgia urban entomology professor Dan Suiter told ABC News. While the species' population usually grows in warmer months, they often appear as early as March. The ants threaten native ant species, which play crucial roles in seed dispersal. Solitary ant. Solitary Precautions and Control Suiter recommended wearing gloves while working outside and removing nesting materials, such as stacked firewood, from properties. Professionals use bait-based controls that are not available to consumers. The care and precision required in the application of the bait aim to protect native species from collateral harm. What People Are Saying Dan Suiter, Orkin Distinguished Professor of urban entomology at the University of Georgia, in comments to ABC News: "In 25 years, I've had one phone call from an individual who was stung by a fire ant and suffered anaphylaxis, another one by something called a twig ant. When I start getting calls annually about people who have been stung by an Asian needle ant, it says to me that there's a trend there." Benoit Guénard, a professor of ecology and entomology at the University of Hong Kong who studied the ants in North Carolina, in comments to USA TODAY: "Imagine somebody inserting a needle directly into your flesh. It's a very sharp, acute pain but it's quite local." What Happens Next Researchers and environmental officials are continuing to track the range and impact of the Asian needle ant. Do you have a story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@
