Rare NM fish to be released in Texas

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A team of experts at the Albuquerque Biological Park braved the cold and snow Monday as they loaded thousands of endangered minnows into trucks for a 12-hour trip to Texas, where the tiny fish will be released into the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park. Biologists said the release will be a big step toward ensuring the survival of the rare Rio Grande silvery minnow, which was listed as endangered in 1994 due to its plummeting population. Between 400,000 and 500,000 minnows were being taken from the breeding facility at the biopark and a fish hatchery in southeastern New Mexico to the Big Bend area. The fish were riding in special tanks in trucks equipped with monitors and oxygen. Once the minnows get to Big Bend, they will be placed in holding pens in the river so they can acclimate. There are two release sites within the park's boundaries as well as one upstream and one downstream. Biologists expect to open the pens and let the minnows explore more of their new home on Wednesday. The minnows that will be released in Big Bend will be considered a nonessential, experimental population, meaning they will not have the same Endangered Species Act protections as those in the Middle Rio Grande. The Fish and Wildlife Service said the experimental designation ensures that the daily activities of private landowners and water users will not be affected by the reintroduction....A lengthy AP article, but no mention of the cost.