Whipsnade Zoo launches global conservation project to save rare pupfish species from extinction

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2024-01-01

A black lip pupfish found at Lake Chichancanab.Wading through the calm waters of Lake Chichancanab in Mexico, aquarists from ZSL's Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire were looking for any signs of tiny Mexican pupfish – but sadly, their surveys confirmed their worst fears; six of seven unique pupfish, including the boxer pupfish (Cyprinodon simus), are likely extinct in the wild. Following the frightening revelation in 2024 that the last remaining wild population of boxer pupfish was feared to be lost, and the only remaining population existed at Whipsnade Zoo, aquarists at the ZSL conservation zoo spearheaded a dramatic effort to save the species from extinction. Whipsnade Zoo's team knew that they needed to verify the news with a comprehensive survey of the fish' only habitat - Lake Chichancanab in Mexico – but in preparation for the worst-case scenario to be confirmed, the team initiated an urgent action plan to bolster the insurance population in zoos, including transporting precious eggs from Whipsnade to Bristol Zoological Society. Sadly, the survey, conducted in spring 2025, along with ZSL's conservation partners in Mexico and Bristol Zoological Society, revealed not only a complete absence of boxer pupfish, but of five other species of pupfish endemic to the lake. Underwater video cameras were deployed, aquarists snorkelled to investigate nooks and crevices, seine netting helped to filter swathes of the lake, and aerial drones were used to scan inaccessible areas; all of which ensured the survey was as thorough as could be. Water samples collected from the lake will be analysed for environmental DNA (eDNA) to officially confirm the disappearance of the six pupfish species., Credit:Avalon

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