Humpback chub translocations in Grand Canyon National Park

Authors: Melissa Trammell, Brian D. Healy, Emily Omana Smith, Jon Spurgeon

Year: 2011 (xliii)

Abstract

The National Park Service partnered with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Bureau of Reclamation, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Museum of Northern Arizona to translocate endangered humpback chub Gila cypha, into Shinumo Creek in Grand Canyon National Park. Three hundred humpback chub originally collected from the Little Colorado River were released into Shinumo Creek each year from 2009 to 2011. In 2011, the first translocation of humpback chub in Havasu Creek was also made. About 240 humpback chub were released into Havasu Creek just below Beaver Falls. Prior to release, eight unique resident humpback chub were captured in Havasu Creek, the first to be found in several decades. Nonnative fish removal and fish community monitoring were conducted before and after each release. Humpback chub in Shinumo Creek continue to survive, be retained in the creek, and exhibit growth rates comparable to the Little Colorado River and hatcheries.