Shreveport Aquarium Joins Project to Save Ancient Species in Caddo Lake

Caddo Lake is an ancient and mysterious place.  The naturally formed lake (a rarity in itself) stretches across the Texas/Louisiana border is one of the most pristine ecosystems in the world.  Scientists from all over the world fight the gators, mosquitoes, and giant salvinia to take a peek into sections of this amazing lake that seem to be frozen in time.

Naturally (pun intended), Caddo Lake is home to some very specialized and unique ecosystems.  One of these is perfect for the Paddlefish.  What is the Paddlefish, you ask?  Just the oldest surviving freshwater fish in North America, that's all!  According to some estimates, they predate the dinosaurs by 50 million years!  They have been protected in the state of Texas since 1977 due to dwindling habitats.  The hapless Paddlefish prefers large amounts of flowing water, which is becoming harder and harder to find due to the construction of dams and reservoirs.  Caddo Lake is not only the largest Bald Cyprus Forest in the world, it is also home to some perfect potential Paddlefish homesites.

Luckily, the Paddlefish has some very good friends in this part of the world who want to make sure that they get a little help in the homemaking department.  WRAL reports that even before the Shreveport Aquarium is set to open, it's already fulfilling it's promise to be a friend to fish and aquatic animals of all types.  The Aquarium has teamed up with the Caddo Lake Institute to begin raising and re-introducing the majestic Paddlefish to their new digs in Caddo Lake.

Find out more about efforts spearheaded by the Caddo Lake Institute to protect the 300 million year old fish here.