The southern purple-spotted gudgeon, also known as ‘zombie fish’, which was declared extinct nearly 20 years ago has made a surprising comeback.
This small colourful native fish was considered wiped out completely in 1998.
It was recently discovered swimming in Third Reedy lake in Australia.
Australia’s North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) said in an update:
“Scientists were astonished after at least two such fish were brought out of the lake during a survey that was aimed at ‘generating water savings for the environment.”
After the rare fish was identified as ‘Zombie Fish’, an appointed team foraged the lakes and found at least 80 more, of which 66 were found in Middle Reedy Lake alone.
Head of Victoria Department of Environment, Land, Water, and Planning, Adrian Martins said:
“We couldn’t believe it when we started finding so many at Middle Reedy. Most of our team have worked their whole lives dealing with the decline of threatened or endangered species, so to have an opportunity to be witnessing the opposite is something special.”
The experts believe that it’s a great chance to bring the southern purple-spotted gudgeon back from the brink.
