news, national

An extremely rare fish thought to be extinct in Victoria has been spotted for the first time in over two decades. Two Southern Purple Spotted Gudgeon fish were identified during a lake recovery project in northwest Victoria on October 29. Works at the lake were immediately stopped to take pictures of the fish and extract a small DNA sample. If the tests confirm their species, the government will work with environmental consultants and institutions to plan an appropriate strategy to protect and recover this rare species. "This is a major environmental discovery - potentially recovering a native Victorian species that has been extinct for over two decades," Water Minister Lisa Neville said. "This rare sighting shows the work we're doing to protect our waterways and their precious ecosystems is working." The sighting happened during works that are part of a $2 billion project looking to restore lakes used within the irrigation system. Although still lightly present in NSW, the Spotted Gudgeon was declared extinct in Victoria in 1998. Australian Associated Press

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