Portland, OR, USA - June 26, 2024

The Oregon Zoo has unveiled its latest inhabitants this week, reintroducing 25 Pacific lamprey to its Great Northwest area. These eel-like creatures, dating back 400 million years, are now settling into their new habitat, offering visitors a rare glimpse into a prehistoric species integral to the Pacific Northwest's natural and cultural heritage.

"We're thrilled to have the lamprey back at the zoo," remarked Jen Osburn Eliot, overseeing the zoo's northwest area. "It's an incredible opportunity for our guests to observe and learn about these fascinating creatures, their evolution, and their significance in our region's history."

Located in the Cascade stream and pond section, the lamprey can often be seen attached to the glass of their habitat, showcasing their distinctive sucker-like mouths and rows of sharp teeth. Their presence has sparked curiosity among visitors, particularly children who find them both intriguing and educational.

The Pacific lamprey, characterized by a jawless mouth and smooth, scaleless body, has endured millennia of environmental changes, including multiple ice ages and mass extinctions. However, in recent decades, their numbers have dwindled due to habitat loss, climate shifts, and food scarcity, prompting conservation concerns.

The zoo's initiative, in collaboration with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, plays a crucial role in the species' conservation efforts. Originating from efforts to restore lamprey populations below Columbia River dams, the zoo provides a temporary haven for these resilient fish before they are released into their natural spawning grounds in the upper Columbia and Snake rivers.

Partnering with tribal and federal agencies, the Oregon Zoo continues to raise awareness about the importance of preserving the lamprey's habitat and cultural significance. The lamprey exhibit serves as a testament to their enduring legacy and the collective responsibility to safeguard their future.