The Oregon chub has become the first fish to ever be removed from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Animals due to successful recovery efforts.

The Oregon chub is the first fish ever to be removed from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Animals, as it is no longer considered in danger of extinction due to successful recovery efforts.

Though their current population numbers 140,000 fish at 80 diverse locations, there were fewer than 1,000 total known fish when they were put on the list in 1993.

Found only in Oregon’s Willamette River Basin, the small fish had declined largely due to loss of habitat as waters were diverted for agriculture and development purposes, among others.

Predatory behavior by non-native species such as bass and bullfrogs also played a role.

Labeling the chub “endangered” prompted scientists and government agencies to collaborate as well as engage private landowners about nurturing habitats on their properties.

With those efforts, c