On the verge of extinction

The orange-finned mahseer is on the verge of extinction in its original habitat, the Cauvery river, following unregulated fishing and the introduction of the blue-finned mahseer. There is an urgent need to restore its status.

An orange-finned mahseer weighing 90 pounds (43 kg) caught in the Cauvery by Alberto Parish on January 13, 2008.

An orange-finned-mahseer, which was caught and released during a survey conducted by WASI, with permission from the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, in the Moyar on March 13.

The blue tail of a blue-finned mahseer.

The Bhavani river and the Pillur dam may still support a population of the orange-finned mahseer.

The Moyar has a population of the orange-finned mahseer. The blue-finned mahseer has not been introduced in this river.

The Cauvery during the monsoon months. The orange-finned mahseer here can weigh up to 68 kg.

Hogenakkal falls. It forms the eastern end of the orange-finned mahseer’s habitat in the lower Cauvery.

Shivasamudram falls. It marks the beginning of the orange-finned mahseer’s habitat in the lower Cauvery.

The Nandhour valley in Uttarakhand. It is home to the golden mahseer, the goral, the serow, the sambar, the elephant and the tiger.

The golden mahseer, caught and released in the Ramganga river in Uttarakhand.

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A blue-finned mahseer weighing 40 pounds (18.14 kilograms) caught in the Cauvery by Owen-Bosen on January 5, 2010.