Colorado, USA - December 30, 2024 Colorado River, USA – Excitement erupted among the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Northwest Region team on October 30 during the annual native fish survey on the Colorado River. As biologists netted not one, but three rare Colorado Pikeminnows, the thrill was so intense that it sparked shouts of disbelief: “Oh, right there! I’m out. I’m out. I’m out. Oh my god!” The catch is a monumental achievement, as the Colorado Pikeminnow is a critically endangered species. Once the apex predator of the Colorado River Basin, these fish can grow up to 6 feet long and have a unique, sleek body designed for ambush predation. To see not one but three of these elusive creatures in a single day is an extraordinary conservation success, bringing a moment of pure excitement for the team dedicated to protecting this rare species. The video capturing their reaction highlights the magnitude of this historic find.