ST. GEORGE, UTAH (AP) - Arizona and Utah wildlife officials are considering a plan to kill off an invasive species in an effort to protect another fish in the Virgin River.
The Spectrum reports wildlife officials are meeting Wednesday in Mesquite to discuss the plan. It would involve using the chemical rotenone to kill off the red shiner and restore habitat for the rare woundfin.
Officials say the plan calls for treating the river this summer, and would involve restricting some access to the river.
Virgin River Program Director Steve Meismer says the treatments are the only way to preserve habitat for the woundfin, which is a 4-inch minnow only found in no other part of the world. The red shiner is a fertile species, and one female can produce some 10,000 offspring.