The United States deliberately poisoned all 41 kilometers of Yellowstone's Soda Butte Creek in the 1990s, killing every fish in the river after invasive brook trout overwhelmed native cutthroat trout, and years later, the iconic native fish returned

Wildlife officials used rotenone to remove invasive fish from Soda Butte Creek in Yellowstone. This restoration strategy aimed to prevent the decline of native cutthroat trout species. After several years, native trout populations made a steady comeback in the creek. Invasive brook trout were removed, allowing native species to regain their numbers. This action illustrates ecosystem recovery after invasive species removal.

Jul 10, 2026 5

The United States deliberately poisoned all 41 kilometers of Yellowstone's Soda Butte Creek in the 1990s, killing every fish in the river after invasive brook trout overwhelmed native cutthroat trout, and years later, the iconic native fish returned
Wildlife officials used rotenone to remove invasive fish from Soda Butte Creek in Yellowstone. This restoration strategy aimed to prevent the decline of native cutthroat trout species. After several years, native trout populations made a steady comeback in the creek. Invasive brook trout were removed, allowing native species to regain their numbers. This action illustrates ecosystem recovery after invasive species removal.
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