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Show Woundfin Minnow Tempe, the Colorado River north from Yuma to the Virgin River, and the Virgin River. Woundfin have also been found in LaVerkin Creek, a tributary to the Virgin River in Utah. Construction of dams and reservoirs has eliminated the woundfin's habitat in much of its former range. Habitat alterations caused by irrigation diversions have also lessened the woundfin's numbers. The ultimate goal of the Recovery Plan is to prevent the extinction of the woundfin and secure its survival by protecting its existing habitat and establishing at least 2 ad- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced that the Woundfin Recovery Team, an independent group of biologists working under the sponsorship of the FWS, has completed a recovery plan for the endangered fish. The document lists the team's recommendations to secure the survivial of the wouldfin in its present range, the Virgin River in Utah, Arizona and Nevada, and expand its range to other streams where it was once found, through the action of Federal and State natural resources agencies. The woundfin is a streamlined silvery minnow with a flat head and a conspicuous, con-spicuous, sharp dorsal spine. It lives in warm, shallow swift flowing sandy streams. Adults reach up to 3 inches in length. The woundfin was placed on the Endangered Species in 1967. The historic range of the woundfin included the Salt River near Tempe, Arizona, the Gila River west of ditional self-sustaining wild populations. The FWS then hopes to take the woundfin off the Endangered Species List. Existing habitat will be studied to determine the woundfin's needs and other streams will be surveyed to select suitable habitat for eventual transplants. |