(CLO) Six giant catfish, known as the giant Mekong catfish, a highly endangered species and one of the largest and rarest freshwater fish in the world , have been caught and released back into the Mekong River in Cambodia.
Six giant Mekong giant catfish, weighing up to 130 kg each, were recently caught. This species is on the verge of extinction. They were captured for research and conservation purposes and have now been released back into the Mekong River. Scientists estimate that only a few hundred Mekong giant catfish remain in the world.
Image of one of the six giant Mekong catfish. Photo: USAID
The USAID-funded Wonders of the Mekong conservation group said catching so many giant catfish in just five days was "unprecedented."
"By tagging these fish, we will obtain crucial information about their ecology, migration patterns, and habitats to help protect them in the future," said biologist Zeb Hogan.
According to the IUCN Red List, the current population of Mekong giant catfish is unknown, but it is estimated to have decreased by approximately 80% over the past 13 years.
Currently, the Mekong giant catfish is only found in certain sections of the Mekong River and its tributaries. However, in the past, they inhabited the entire 4,900 km length of the river – from its mouth in Vietnam to its headwaters in Yunnan Province, China.
The Mekong River, one of Southeast Asia's most important rivers, has long been severely affected by activities such as illegal fishing, habitat destruction, and water pollution from plastic waste.
Furthermore, hydroelectric dams and climate change have caused devastating impacts on the Mekong River ecosystem, leading to habitat degradation for the giant catfish and directly threatening its survival.
Ha Trang (according to USAID, BN, DW)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/phat-hien-6-con-ca-tra-khong-lo-sap-tuyet-chung-tren-song-mekong-post325673.html
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