Swedish scientists revive ancient dragon species in German waters
Science never ceases to amaze, and what Swedish scientists have accomplished can be called a remarkable achievement. An extinct species, known as the ancient dragon, has been reintroduced at a facility in Germany.
3:11 PM EDT, June 26, 2024
The extinct sturgeons, also known as the ancient dragon, were reintroduced at the Institute of Freshwater Ecology in Berlin. Due to overfishing, this species went extinct in these waters over 100 years ago.
An extinct species brought back to life
Swedish scientists released the first batch of Atlantic sturgeon fry into the Göta River, which flows through Gothenburg. Transported to Sweden in April, they had to acclimate in a pool for several months.
According to scientists, it will take at least 15 years before today's 10-month-old, 1.5-foot fish return to the river to spawn. For this reason, the Atlantic sturgeon will remain protected for a long time, and fishing it will be prohibited, emphasized biologist Dan Candelon, who created the species reintroduction project.
An adult sturgeon lives in the Atlantic Ocean and can reach up to 16 feet in length and weigh several hundred pounds. The sturgeon is a bottom-dwelling fish, finding its food there. Scientists have implanted transmitters in all 78 released fish to track their journey.
Atlantic sturgeon
Currently, the Atlantic sturgeon lives only off the coasts and in rivers of North America. It is colloquially known as the ancient dragon due to its distinctive back and ancient origin.
The University of Gothenburg, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, the Natural History Museum, and the Sportfiskarna Anglers Association lead the species reintroduction project. In Sweden, the last reintroduced species was the beaver, which was brought back in 1922.
