Malagasy Fish inhabit freshwater lakesand rivers o f Madagascar and are currently classified as Threatened by The World Conservation Union (IUCN) due to due to the introduction of non-native species and habitat degradation.
Researchers have been working to conserve representative specimens of all of the freshwater species on the island. The Denver Zoo began survey expeditions to Madagascar in 1993 with the goal of collecting specimens to form the basis of a captive breeding program.
To date, annual trips by New York Aquarium and Denver Zoo staff have successfully surveyed and returned specimens to captive programs at the New York Aquarium, Denver Zoo, and Old World Exotic Fish, Inc. Currently 27 species of fish, approximately 50% of the total number of species, have been established in colonies; 75% of these species have been successful reproduced and disseminated to other facilities.
This year, Alex Saunders traveled to Madagascar for 6 weeks to assess the current status of various populations on the island. He found that while some fish populations were thriving in relatively undisturbed habitat, many others had become heavily impacted by changes in their environment. Ongoing work with the Malagasy Government and the University of Antananarivo is being undertaken to address some of the major sources of habitat loss.
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