Leopard Darters Reintroduced to Arkansas River in Historic Conservation Effort

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) last week successfully released 80 leopard darters into the Cossatot River, marking the first historical reintroduction of this threatened species. The effort involved collaboration with various partners, including Conservation Fisheries, LLC, which specializes in propagating rare fish.

Chance Garrett, AGFC fish ecologist, confirmed that this release is the first of two planned for 2023, with an additional 250 leopard darters scheduled for early October. All fish were bred from broodstock collected from the Mountain Fork River.

Once abundant in Oklahoma and Arkansas, the leopard darter was designated as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1978 due to significant population declines. Garrett noted that previous populations in the Rolling Fork and Cossatot Rivers may no longer exist, making this reintroduction crucial.

This initiative builds on last year’s project, where survival rates at the hatchery were low, but remaining fish contributed to this year’s broodstock. Garrett praised Conservation Fisheries for their extensive expertise, which has been invaluable to the project’s success.

The release involved multiple partners, including the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. After a swift transport from Knoxville, Tennessee, to the Cossatot River, the fish were acclimated to their new environment before being released.

Staff monitored the release site closely and observed that some fish remained in the pool, while others had already dispersed. AGFC aims to see signs of spawning activity in the coming spring, hoping to revive the population of this long-endangered species.