Leopard Barbel Rediscovered in Turkish River
The Leopard Barbel, a freshwater fish species at risk of extinction, has been rediscovered in a river in Turkey after being last scientifically documented in 2011. This rare find comes after its inclusion in the Most Wanted lost fishes list by the conservation collaborative SHOAL. A team of ichthyologists in Turkey successfully located the species in the Turkish section of the River Tigris. Led by Cüneyt Kaya and Münevver Oral from Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, the expedition team expressed excitement over the rediscovery, emphasizing the importance of conservation efforts to protect the species. The Leopard Barbel, also known as the Mesopotamian barbel, was once abundant across the Tigris-Euphrates River system but has faced threats such as fishing, pollution, habitat destruction, and dam construction. The discovery highlights the need for urgent conservation action to ensure the survival of this endangered species.
The team embarked on their search for the Leopard Barbel by referencing previous scientific literature, which proved challenging due to significant alterations in water flow caused by the construction of nine dams in the Turkish portion of the Tigris River. These dams altered the fish's habitat, necessitating a shift in the team's strategy to explore downstream areas. During the expedition, a local fisherman caught a 20-inch/50-centimeter fish matching the description of the Leopard Barbel. The team swiftly transported the fish to a tank with oxygen supply and rushed to the scene to witness its release back into the wild. This encounter marked the realization of their dream and instilled hope for the species' conservation. Following documentation and measurements, both fish were safely returned to their habitat. The team emphasized the importance of collective efforts in protecting endangered species and highlighted the need for education and collaboration between scientists and local communities to safeguard the Leopard Barbel and its ecosystem.
In November 2023, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) released an updated assessment highlighting the alarming threat faced by freshwater fish worldwide, with 45% of threatened species at risk of extinction due to dams and water extraction. This assessment underscores the critical role of freshwater ecosystems in global environmental health. The Leopard Barbel, found in the Turkish portion of the Tigris River, is among the species impacted by dam construction, with a new dam nearing completion in Cizre, close to where the specimens were rediscovered. Harmony Patricio, freshwater fish conservation program manager for Re:wild and SHOAL, emphasizes the importance of addressing these threats to protect biodiversity, combat climate change, and ensure human well-being. The rediscovery of the Leopard Barbel serves as a rallying point for freshwater biodiversity conservation efforts in the region. The Search for Lost Fishes initiative, part of Re:wild's broader Search for Lost Species program, aims to locate and conserve freshwater fish species not scientifically documented in over a decade. In collaboration with Re:wild and the IUCN-SSC Freshwater Fish Specialist Group, SHOAL has compiled a list of over 300 lost fish species, providing a framework for targeted conservation actions. To learn more, go to Jeremy Gay’s article in Fish Keeping News https://fishkeepingnews.com/2024/01/09/leopard-barbel-rediscovered-in-turkish-river/