A population of endangered freshwater native fish has been returned to the wild after thriving under the watchful eye of the lions at Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

At the height of the drought in 2019, over 70 Southern Purple Spotted Gudgeon were rescued from drying pools in the Macquarie-Wambuul River catchment, and brought to the waterways inside the Lion Pride Lands habitat at Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

Since then they've been absolutely thriving, with annual surveys by Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Fisheries staff confirming the fish have been breeding successfully and numbers rising year on year.

As conditions in the Central West have improved post-drought, a rehabilitation project has been underway at one of the rescue sites with assistance from the NSW Government’s Environmental Trust, to prepare the site for the return of its native inhabitants from the Zoo.

The NSW Government in partnership with local landholders and OzFish Unlimited has improved the ecosystem health of the section of creek that contained the endangered fish by:

• Fencing 1.8 km of creek on both sides
• Installing off-stream watering points
• Undertaking riparian weed control
• Replanting native vegetation

The Southern Purple Spotted Gudgeon is a small freshwater fish native to Australia, which is listed as an endangered species in NSW. The fish grow to 15cm in length and are generally found in slow moving rivers, creeks and streams.

They were previously widespread in the Murray, Murrumbidgee and Lachlan River systems and tributaries of the Darling, but the population has experienced a significant decline, and they are now extremely rare in inland NSW.

Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe said: “The successful return of the Southern Purple Spotten Gudgeon to its natural habitat is thanks to the hard work of Fisheries NSW, OzFish Unlimited, Taronga Western Plains Zoo and of course the lion pride which has kept a close eye on these fish.

“This project is a great example of how the NSW Government’s Environment Trust invests in local projects to make a big difference to our native animals and plants.

“It not only revives a vital species but reinforces our commitment to protecting and restoring our unique biodiversity.”

Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said: “On World Fisheries Day it is important to recognise projects like this demonstrate what can be achieve with some planning and long-term thinking.

“These fish were rescued at the height of the drought when it became clear that pools of the river were drying out and now, we are returning them back to where they belong.

“A special thank you goes to Taronga Western Plains Zoo, where these fish have been thriving for the past five years, and to the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Fisheries team.

“The Minns Government is committed to the conservation of threatened species, to ensure fish like the Southern Purple Spotted Gudgeon are protected for future generations.”

Taronga Western Plains Zoo Wildlife Conservation Manager Phoebe Meagher said:

"The Lion and the Purple Spotted Gudgeon are such an unlikely pair, but here at Taronga Western Plains Zoo they have co-habited since 2019.

“We’re so thrilled to have provided a safe habitat for this endangered native species that was struggling in the height of the drought. To see these little fish thrive in our Lion Pride Lands habitat and to now witness their return to the wild is so exciting.

“Taronga is so proud of the partnership that has delivered such an amazing result, with agencies working collaboratively in order to contribute to conservation outcomes for this endangered species.”