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