June 8, 2005

Scientists Nudge Fish Closer to Extinction




"It was a very tragic occurrence, one that we never thought would happen," said Linda Greene, chief of resource management for Death Valley National Park.



"The irony was not lost on us," Greene said.

Only 180 Devils Hole pupfish were counted in 2003. When the number of adult fish drops below 100, scientists consider the possibility that the pupfish may not survive.

Scientists and conservationists have been fighting to save the pupfish for decades. In the mid-20th century, springs forming Ash Meadows were used to water farms that grew cotton, melons, fruit and nut trees.

Farmers pumping ground water onto those fertile fields visibly lowered the water level in Devils Hole.

The Devils Hole pupfish was given endangered species status and, after a long court battle in the 1970s, the water it needs to survive.