Dexter National Fish Hatchery and Technology Center recently released over 415,000 fish ranging in species from the threatened Chihuahua Chub to the endangered Razorback Sucker. These fish were reared at the Technology Center and prepared for release into their natural habitats. The habitats targeted in this restocking effort included the Mimbres, Virgin, Rio Grande, Rio Puerco, and San Juan Rivers along with the lower Colorado River.

Prior to the release of the fish, a consolidated effort to mark or tag the fish was undertaken by personnel from the Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Albuquerque Bio-Park, and Bio West. The fish were then transported to various release points.

Overall six species were represented in the 415,000 fish that were released into the wild. These species are: the Chihuahua chub, the Woundfin, the Razorback sucker, the Bonytail chub, the Rio Grand silvery minnow, and the Colorado pikeminnow. The success of the Centers conservation effort is due to the cooperative effort of the other agencies and the overall management of this critical project.