April 21, 2024: Bishop, California. The real important event of this day was the release of 200 Owens pupfish into the Conservation Open Space Area (COSA) ponds, which are on tribal land. For the first time in history the Owens Pupfish species was introduced to the Fish Refuge Pond in the COSA area on the Bishop Paiute Indian Reservation, in an effort to assist with the re-growth of this once flourishing native fish species. This took over a decade to accomplish. California legislation was passed that allowed the care/keeping of an endangered species on private land. The event started with a traditional prayer and included presentations by tribal Chairwomen, Meryl Picard, Environmental Director, Brian Adkins, and others who worked to get the project implemented.
The released fish were gathered from five populations currently providing habitat to this little, playful fish. The pupfish were once plentiful in the Owens river and springs throughout the valley, but their population declined until they were rescued from extinction in two buckets (this is a whole other story).
