Rampant spread of catfish endangering native aquatic species of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

‘Unprecedented floods may have facilitated introduction of invasive alien species into new habitats’

The rampant spread of catfish, known locally as African Mushi, in the waterbodies of the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS) is posing danger to the native aquatic species of the sanctuary, which is already facing threat from the wild growth of alien species of plants, including Senna spectabilis. Though the sighting of catfish had been reported in waterbodies of the district, including major rivers, this was the first time that it was reported in the sanctuary. “When we planned to organise a survey to make a checklist on the presence of indigenous fish species in the waterbodies of the sanctuary as part of World Biodiversity Day, some tribespeople informed me about the presence of the invasive species of fish inside the ponds of the sanctuary,” warden S. Narendra Babu told The Hindu.