Thirty years ago a tract of marshland in Cochise County was put under protection in an effort to save endangered fish. A recent report shows that action paid off.
It’s good news for the Yaqui topminnow — the endangered fish can be found at the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge in southeastern Arizona. The fish is now in twice as many places as it was 50 years ago.
TIMELINE: Arizona's Threatened And Endangered Species
The freshwater marsh is where the Yaqui River starts and plays an important role for migratory species. The refuge was established to protect four endangered, native fish in 1982 and is listed as one of the top ten places restored by Endangered Species Act.
The report shows control of invasive species contributed to the effort. And, landowners working together on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border helped recover the 2,300-acre habitat.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been modified to reflect the correct acreage of the habitat.
