The tiny Mexican tequila
splitfin fish used to thrive in the waters off of
Mexico, abundant and beautiful with their bright yellow
tails. But by 2003, they had vanished from the
wild -- killed off by climate change, pollution
in the water, and the invasion of non-native fish
species. Tequila fish are phenomenally important to
their ecosystem. They keep human populations
safe and healthy by eating mosquitoes that spread
disease and illness, such as dengue fever -- a
painful infection that causes aches, vomiting, rashes,
and dangerously high fevers. The fish are also a vital
food source for other fish and even birds. When this link in the
food chain went missing, it threatened the balance of
the entire
ecosystem.
Now, almost 20 years later,
researchers have successfully reintroduced
tequila fish to their natural environment, and
they are thriving once more! Upwards of 1,500 fish now
swim free in their original home waters.
Conservationists now have an effective model for how to
re-introduce animals that were previously extinct in the
wild. This means that other sea life or animals that
currently survive only in zoos or aquariums could become
members of the larger wildlife community once again!
Even more importantly, the Mexican government
must collaborate with local authorities and scientists
to keep this success going. Sign the
petition to urge the Mexican government to continue
funding conservation efforts and protect the tequila
splitfin fish from ever going extinct
again!
