Swedish scientists revive the ancient dragon in German waters
Science never ceases to amaze, and what Swedish scientists have accomplished is remarkable. An extinct species, the ancient dragon, has been reintroduced at a facility in Germany.
The extinct sturgeons were reintroduced at the Institute of Freshwater Ecology in Berlin. This species, also known as the ancient dragon, went extinct in these waters over 100 years ago due to overfishing.
An extinct species brought back to life
Swedish scientists released the first Atlantic sturgeon fry into the Göta River, which flows through Gothenburg. Transported to Sweden in April, the fish had to acclimate in a pool for several months.
Scientists say it will take at least 15 years before today's 10-month-old, 0.5-metre 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, the creator of the species reintroduction project.
An adult sturgeon lives in the Atlantic Ocean and can reach up to 5 metres 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. Due to its distinctive back and ancient origin, it is colloquially known as the ancient dragon.
The University of Gothenburg, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, the Natural History Museum, and the Sportfiskarna Anglers Association lead the species reintroduction project. The last reintroduced species in Sweden was the beaver, which was brought back in 1922.
