When a species enters the list of animals in danger of extinction, conservation measures are critical because it will depend on them whether the species can recover or, on the contrary, ends up relegated to disappearance. Thanks to the joint efforts of scientists, some species have managed to be saved, such as the tequila picote (zoogoneticus tequila), a Mexican fish that has been successfully reintroduced to its natural habitat.
A few decades ago, the river of Teuchitlán, a small town near the Tequila volcano in Jalisco, was home to a small, orange-tailed fish. The fish that the locals used to call picote tequila (zoogoneticus tequila) or ‘gallito’ because of the color of its tail, was abundant in that river. However, pollution and the introduction of non-endemic species caused the fish that receives the emblematic name of tequila to become extinct in the wild.
Image: Chester Zoo
In 1998, only a few specimens remained in the Teuchitlán river until it finally became extinct from its natural habitat. Fortunately, some researchers showed their interest in safeguarding the small tequila fish. In the same year, experts from the Chester Zoo in England arrived in Mexico to successfully extract several pairs of Zoogoneticus tequila, which would later become the salvation of their species.
As a first measure, a laboratory was installed for the conservation of some species of Mexican fish, including the ‘gallito’. In 2012 they were taken to an artificial pond for a stage of semi-captivity, which yielded a surprising population of 10 thousand tequila picotes. And with the help of Mexican scientists such as Omar Domínguez from the University of Michoacán and some European organizations, the project was created to reintroduce them into their natural habitat, the Teuchitlán river.
The importance of collective participation
From the point of view of the obvious, this task seems to be simple; after all, it is returning to an inhabitant that developed under the conditions of the place of reintroduction. However, it is actually a titanic task that many predicted would end in the death of small Mexican fish. To do this, river parasites, local bacteria, natural predators of fish and non-endemic species had to be investigated.
Image: Chester Zoo
The researchers did a tremendous amount of work to achieve the reintroduction, however, 50% of the chances of success depended on the community. One of the main causes of extinction was due to pollution. Therefore, citizen participation to understand the importance of Mexican fish was of vital importance. Educational campaigns were undertaken to show locals respect for the entire ecosystem that inhabits the river. Especially for the ‘gallito’, as it helps keep dengue transmitters at bay.
A global example
The locals responded with great enthusiasm to the environmental educational campaigns and it was finally decided to move on to the final stage, direct action. The small tequila pecker fish had not been swimming freely in the river for decades, so the first step was to acclimatize them again. The researchers introduced a type of floating cage to add a bit of protection against possible unforeseen threats.
Image: Chester Zoo
The moment of truth approached and the floating cages were removed to observe the tequila fish’s interaction with its former home. Surprisingly, things flowed positively, the fish have managed to survive for years, increasing their population and even expanding to other regions of the river.
This case is special, as it indicates that when the necessary factors come together, it is possible to save species from extinction. And in fact “the project has been cited as an International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) case study for successful global reintroductions,” explains Chester Zoo.