Oregon Chub Is No Longer On the Endangered Species List

The Oregon Chub fish species was put on the endangered list when its population reached a threatening number of approximately 1,000 specimens.

According to the conservationists, there are now more than 140,000 Oregon Chub fish in more than 80 US locations.
Reports reveal that this small species of fish survived near extinction, so that is the reason that the US Fish and Wildlife Service removed it from the endangered species list.

The Oregon Chub fish lives mostly within the Finley National Wildlife Refuge, which is close to Corvallis, Oregon.
In order to celebrate the removal of this fish from the endangered species list, the US Fish and Wildlife Service announced the big news on the same area.

The scientific name of the Oregon Chub fish is Oregonichthys crameri. It’s a small fish that measures approximately three inch and is a finned fish.
It lives in the waters of the Willamette River of Oregon, which is known to the experts for its shallow water drained.

The Oregon Chub fish can be spotted on backwater sloughs, flooded marshes or beaver ponds.
Because of the floods, the habitats of the Oregon Chubs have been seriously damaged and the efforts of rebuilding these natural habitats were always unsuccessful due to water floods.
The fish was officially included on the endangered species list in 1993 because of its serious decrease in population.

Researchers believe that one of the causes that led to the decimation of the Oregon Chub fish was the introduction of new dams, dikes, channels and flood control measures.
Other causes include competition over food with other species of fish, like the bluegill, bass and the mosquito fish.

In order to help the Oregon Chub escape extinction, conservationists campaigned for other locations where the fish could be moved.

Curt Melcher, director of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, said that this is the first species of fish to be saved thanks to individuals and organizations.

The collaboration between organizations has made it possible to help the Oregon Chub recover and be taken off from the endangered species list, and will work for other species too.
Image Source: gazettetimes