Guatemala raises ancient fish to boost wild populations
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In southern Guatemala, conservationists from La Aurora Zoo released hundreds of young tropical gars into a freshwater canal.
The Marine Conservation Center in Guatemala City raised the fish, known as “fossil fish” due to their unchanged form over 100 million years, in tanks before transporting them to their natural habitat. This marks the first successful captive breeding and release program for the vulnerable species, which faces threats from illegal fishing, pollution, and weather events linked to the El Niño pattern.
The tropical gar, a relative of the larger alligator gar found in North America, is a carnivorous fish that helps maintain balance within Guatemala’s freshwater ecosystems. Adults can grow to 1.2 meters long and weigh approximately 10 kilograms. Conservationists believe the species could face a more critical situation in the future without intervention. The La Aurora Zoo hopes the program will help ensure the long-term survival of the tropical gar in Guatemala.
