Colorado River rare fish, The Razorback Sucker, pulled back from extinction

Wildlife officials say another rare Colorado River fish has been pulled from the brink of extinction, the second comeback this year for a species unique to the Southwestern U.S.

The government said Thursday it will recommend changing the status of the razorback sucker from endangered to threatened. That means it’s still at risk of extinction, but the danger is no longer immediate.

Razorback suckers once numbered in the hundreds of thousands, but by the 1980s they dwindled to about 100. Researchers blame non-native fish that preyed on the razorback suckers, and dams that disrupted their habitat.

Biologists increased their numbers to over 50,000 by raising the fish in hatcheries, removing predators and changing dam operations.

Earlier this year, the government recommended changing the humpback chub from endangered to threatened.

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12 a.m.

Wildlife officials say another rare Colorado River fish has been pulled from the brink of extinction, the second comeback this year for a species unique to the Southwestern U.S.

The government plans to recommend Thursday that the razorback sucker should be reclassified from endangered to threatened. That means it’s still at risk of extinction, but the danger is no longer immediate.

The Associated Press was briefed on the plans before the official announcement.

Razorback suckers once numbered in the hundreds of thousands, but by the 1980s they dwindled to about 100. Researchers blame non-native fish that preyed on the razorback suckers, and dams that disrupted their habitat.

Biologists increased their numbers to over 50,000 by raising the fish in hatcheries, removing predators and changing dam operations.

Earlier this year, the government recommended changing the humpback chub from endangered to threatened.