Falklands Conservation

Protecting the Unique Wildlife of the Falkland Islands and the South Atlantic

WILDLIFE UNDER THREAT

One of only two Falklands indigenous freshwater fish, it is also known locally as the zebra trout due to the dark bands gracing its flanks. It was first described by Darwin, visiting the Islands in 1833-4, as being very common. Today it has its strongholds in the southern part of East Falkland (Lafonia) and in the south and west of West Falkland, existing in rivers, streams and ditches which do not contain the introduced salmonid Salmo trutta. In rivers where the introduced species prospers, interspecific competition is thought to have eradicated the population of indigenous fish. Expansion of the range of the introduced species represents a significant threat to the success and survival of the remaining local trout populations.

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