Unraveling the Enigma: The Mysterious Recovery of the Endangered Devils Hole Pupfish

The rare and endangered Devils Hole pupfish, which resides in a small rocky pool in Death Valley National Park, has seen a population recovery in recent years. After hitting a low of 35 fish in 2013, the population has now stabilized at around 175 fish. The reasons behind this recovery remain somewhat of a mystery, but it may be attributed to disturbance events such as flash floods and earthquakes that have brought new nutrients and cleaned the rocky shelf that supports the fish. Wildlife managers have also provided supplemental food and shelter to aid in their survival. The Devils Hole pupfish is an iconic species and has played a significant role in water conservation and rights in the western United States.