• Home
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
      • Board of Directors
      • Staff
      • Ethics Board
      • Committees
        • Accreditation Commission
        • Advancement Committee
        • Animal Health Committee
        • Animal Population Management Committee
        • Animal Welfare Committee
        • Annual Conference Program Committee
        • Aquarium Affairs Committee
        • Aquatic Collections Sustainability Committee
        • Business Operations Committee
        • Conservation Education Committee
        • Diversity Committee
        • Government Affairs Committee
        • Honors and Awards Committee
        • Human Resources Committee
        • Marketing Committee
        • Membership Committee
        • Nominating Committee
        • Professional Development Committee
        • Public Relations Committee
        • Research and Technology Committee
        • Safety Committee
        • Trends Committee
        • Volunteer Management Committee
        • Wildlife Conservation Committee
      • Scientific Advisory Groups
        • Ambassador Animal Scientific Advisory Group
        • Avian Scientific Advisory Group
        • Behavior Scientific Advisory Group
        • Biobanking Scientific Advisory Group
        • Green Scientific Advisory Group
        • Institutional Data Management Scientific Advisory Group
        • Molecular Data for Population Management Scientific Advisory Group
        • Nutrition Scientific Advisory Group
        • Reproduction and Endocrinology Scientific Advisory Group
        • Small Population Management Advisory Group
        • Social Science Research and Evaluation Scientific Advisory Group
        • Veterinary Scientific Advisory Group
    • Strategic Plan
    • Bylaws and Policies
      • Board-Approved Policies and Position Statements
      • Bylaws
      • Code of Conduct
      • Code of Professional Ethics
    • Press Room
      • AZA News Releases
      • Zoo & Aquarium News
      • AZA SAFE Pumpkin Carving Templates
    • Partners
      • Commercial Member Engagement Council
      • Visitor Demographics
      • Conservation Agreements
        • Polar Bears International
        • Arctic Ambassador Centers
    • Contact Us
  • Accreditation
    • About AZA Accreditation
      • Accreditation Basics
      • Benefits of Accreditation
      • FAQs
      • Accreditation vs. Certification
    • How to Apply
      • Pathway Toward Membership Program
    • Download Accreditation Materials
    • Accredited and Certified Members
    • Quarter Century Award
    • Upcoming Reviews
    • Accreditation Commission
    • Inspectors
      • FAQ for Inspectors
      • Inspectors of the Year
    • Accreditation Resource Center
      • Guidelines & Sample Documents, Programs, and Policies
    • Report a Concern
  • Animal Management
    • About Animal Programs
      • Taxon Advisory Groups
        • List of Taxon Advisory Groups
      • Species Survival Plan Programs
        • SSP Population Sustainability
      • Studbooks
      • Global Species Management Plans
      • Animal Program Roles
        • Education Advisors
      • Animal Management Centers
        • Population Management Center
        • Reproductive Management Center
    • Animal Programs Resources
      • Animal Programs Database
      • Animal Program Handbooks
      • Animal Program Applications
      • Resource Documents
      • Strategic Framework for the Wellbeing of Animals
      • SSP Reimagination Resources
      • Contact Information
      • Animal Program Sustainability Designations
      • Animal Programs Monthly Update
      • Program Leader Vacancies
      • Animal Program Deadlines
      • Online Training Modules
      • Dedicated Funds
    • Animal Care Manuals
    • Ambassador Animal Guidelines
  • Conservation
    • SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction
      • SAFE Species
      • Propose a SAFE Species
      • SAFE Program Resources
      • SAFE Contributors
    • Other Initiatives
      • Annual Report on Conservation and Science
        • Resources for the ARCS Surveys
      • Reduce the Risk
      • Climate Change and Wildlife
        • Communicating Climate Change
        • Climate Change Resources
      • Citizen Science
      • Florida Reef Tract Rescue Project
      • Black-footed Ferret Recovery and Reintroduction Program Analysis
      • Party for the Planet
    • Conservation Funding
      • SAFE Granting Program
        • SAFE Matching Grant Challenge
        • SAFE Granting Program Review and Selection
        • SAFE Grant Awards
      • Conservation Grants Fund
        • Information for CGF Applicants
        • CGF Awards
      • Endangered Species COVID-19 Relief
      • Other Conservation Funding Sources
    • Field Conservation
      • Reintroduction Programs
      • Amphibian Conservation
      • Elephant Conservation
      • Marine Mammal Conservation
      • Ocean Conservation
      • Pollinator Conservation
      • Tiger Conservation
    • Green Practices
      • Resources for Greening Business Practices
        • Green Practices: Energy
        • Green Practices: Materials and Products
        • Green Practices: Water
        • Green Practices: Third-Party Certifications
        • Green Practices: Bird-Safe Buildings
        • Green Practices: Waste
        • Green Practices: Pocket Guides
    • Research and Science
      • Methods for Animal Behavior Research DVD
    • Conservation Education
      • Advocating for Education
      • Nature Play Begins at Your Zoo & Aquarium
  • Wildlife Trafficking Alliance
    • About Us
      • Partners
        • Partner Commitments
        • eBay Partnership
    • Illegal Wildlife Trade
      • Southern California Wildlife Confiscations Network
      • Species at Risk
    • What You Can Do
      • Reduce the Risk
      • Buy Informed
      • Tips For Travelers
      • Legislative Action Center
    • Partner Resources
    • News
    • Not A Pet
    • Toss the Tusk
  • Equity & Inclusion
    • Diversity Network Group
    • Modeling Zoos and Aquariums of Inclusive Communities of Science
  • AZA Services
    • Join
      • Individual Membership
      • Organization Membership
      • Conservation Partner
      • Society Partner
      • Commercial Membership
      • Student Membership
      • Advocate Membership
      • FAQs About Joining AZA
    • Conferences
      • Annual Conference
      • Mid-Year Meeting
      • Conference Proceedings
        • 2022 Annual Conference Posters
        • 2021 Annual Conference
        • 2021 Annual Conference Posters
        • 2020 Directors' Policy Conference
        • 2020 Annual Conference Posters
        • 2020 Annual Conference
      • Pizzazz
    • Government Affairs
      • Advocacy Webinar Series
      • Advocacy Day
      • Big Cat Public Safety Act
      • Federal Agencies and Public Comments
      • Legislative Education Center
    • Professional Development
      • Webinars
      • Courses
        • AZA Professional Development Course Policies
        • Scholarships
        • Animal Training Applications in Zoo and Aquarium Settings
        • Animal Welfare: Evidence-Based Management
        • Avian Management, Biology and Conservation
        • Behavioral Husbandry Best Practices for Your Animal Welfare Program
        • Creating Successful Exhibits
        • Crocodilian Biology and Professional Management
        • Effective Leadership: Foundation & Development
        • Environmental Enrichment in Zoos and Aquariums
        • Foundations of Conservation Learning
        • Institutional Records Keeping
        • Leadership in Conservation Learning
        • Managing Animal Enrichment and Training Programs
        • Population Management I: Data Management and Processing
        • Population Management II: Data Analysis and Breeding Recs
        • Principles of Elephant Management I
        • Principles of Elephant Management II
        • Principles of Ambassador Animal Management
        • Wheeling Courses Travel Information
      • Executive Leadership Development Program
        • Applying for ELDP
        • ELDP FAQs
    • Honors & Awards
      • SSP Sustainability Award
        • Sustainability Award Winners
      • Angela Peterson Excellence in Diversity Award
        • Diversity Award Winners
      • Education Award
        • Education Award Winners
      • Edward H. Bean Award
        • Bean Award Winners
      • Excellence in Marketing Award
        • Marketing Award Winners
      • Exhibit Award
        • Exhibit Award Winners
      • Facility Award
        • Facility Award Winners
      • The Green Award
        • Green Award Winners
      • Volunteer Engagement Award
        • Volunteer Engagement Award Winners
      • Research Award
        • Research Award Winners
      • North American Conservation Award
        • North American Conservation Award Winners
      • William G. Conway International Conservation Award
        • William G. Conway International Conservation Award Winners
      • R. Marlin Perkins Award for Professional Excellence
      • Animal Welfare Lifetime Achievement Award
      • Tim O'Sullivan Award for Professional Development
      • The Devra Kleiman Scientific Advancement Award
      • Wendy Fisher Award for Professional Excellence
      • Honorary Membership Award
    • Safety & Preparedness
      • Zoo and Aquarium Safety: Example Practices
      • Zoo and Aquarium All Hazards Partnership
      • Antivenom Index
    • Member Resources & Benefits
      • COVID-19 Resources
      • Data, Surveys, & Trends
        • Directors Demographic Survey
        • Economic Impact Reports
        • Benchmark Reports
        • Earned Revenue Data
        • Species Survival Statistics
        • Trends in Visitor Diversity
        • Visitor and Public Research
        • Volunteer Program Survey
        • Zoo and Aquarium Statistics
      • Why AZA Matters
      • AZA Member Discounted Admissions
      • AZA Member Logos
        • AZA Logo Usage Policy
      • AZA Commercial Member Logo
  • Connect
    • Connect Stories
    • Contribute to Connect
    • Connect Photo Contest Winners
    • Connect Photo Contest
    • Advertise
    • Connect Archives
    • Connect Photo Honorable Mentions
    • Connect Photo Highlights
  • Jobs
  • Find a Zoo or Aquarium
  • Calendar
  • Donate
  • Login
    Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
Enter your search query in the field below. Click the X to close.
AZA logo
  • Jobs
  • Find a Zoo or Aquarium
  • Calendar
  • Donate
Join Login Calendar Search the site
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
      • Board of Directors
      • Staff
      • Ethics Board
      • Committees
        • Accreditation Commission
        • Advancement Committee
        • Animal Health Committee
        • Animal Population Management Committee
        • Animal Welfare Committee
        • Annual Conference Program Committee
        • Aquarium Affairs Committee
        • Aquatic Collections Sustainability Committee
        • Business Operations Committee
        • Conservation Education Committee
        • Diversity Committee
        • Government Affairs Committee
        • Honors and Awards Committee
        • Human Resources Committee
        • Marketing Committee
        • Membership Committee
        • Nominating Committee
        • Professional Development Committee
        • Public Relations Committee
        • Research and Technology Committee
        • Safety Committee
        • Trends Committee
        • Volunteer Management Committee
        • Wildlife Conservation Committee
      • Scientific Advisory Groups
        • Ambassador Animal Scientific Advisory Group
        • Avian Scientific Advisory Group
        • Behavior Scientific Advisory Group
        • Biobanking Scientific Advisory Group
        • Green Scientific Advisory Group
        • Institutional Data Management Scientific Advisory Group
        • Molecular Data for Population Management Scientific Advisory Group
        • Nutrition Scientific Advisory Group
        • Reproduction and Endocrinology Scientific Advisory Group
        • Small Population Management Advisory Group
        • Social Science Research and Evaluation Scientific Advisory Group
        • Veterinary Scientific Advisory Group
    • Strategic Plan
    • Bylaws and Policies
      • Board-Approved Policies and Position Statements
      • Bylaws
      • Code of Conduct
      • Code of Professional Ethics
    • Press Room
      • AZA News Releases
      • Zoo & Aquarium News
      • AZA SAFE Pumpkin Carving Templates
    • Partners
      • Commercial Member Engagement Council
      • Visitor Demographics
      • Conservation Agreements
        • Polar Bears International
        • Arctic Ambassador Centers
    • Contact Us
  • Accreditation
    • About AZA Accreditation
      • Accreditation Basics
      • Benefits of Accreditation
      • FAQs
      • Accreditation vs. Certification
    • How to Apply
      • Pathway Toward Membership Program
    • Download Accreditation Materials
    • Accredited and Certified Members
    • Quarter Century Award
    • Upcoming Reviews
    • Accreditation Commission
    • Inspectors
      • FAQ for Inspectors
      • Inspectors of the Year
    • Accreditation Resource Center
      • Guidelines & Sample Documents, Programs, and Policies
    • Report a Concern
  • Animal Management
    • About Animal Programs
      • Taxon Advisory Groups
        • List of Taxon Advisory Groups
      • Species Survival Plan Programs
        • SSP Population Sustainability
      • Studbooks
      • Global Species Management Plans
      • Animal Program Roles
        • Education Advisors
      • Animal Management Centers
        • Population Management Center
        • Reproductive Management Center
    • Animal Programs Resources
      • Animal Programs Database
      • Animal Program Handbooks
      • Animal Program Applications
      • Resource Documents
      • Strategic Framework for the Wellbeing of Animals
      • SSP Reimagination Resources
      • Contact Information
      • Animal Program Sustainability Designations
      • Animal Programs Monthly Update
      • Program Leader Vacancies
      • Animal Program Deadlines
      • Online Training Modules
      • Dedicated Funds
    • Animal Care Manuals
    • Ambassador Animal Guidelines
  • Conservation
    • SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction
      • SAFE Species
      • Propose a SAFE Species
      • SAFE Program Resources
      • SAFE Contributors
    • Other Initiatives
      • Annual Report on Conservation and Science
        • Resources for the ARCS Surveys
      • Reduce the Risk
      • Climate Change and Wildlife
        • Communicating Climate Change
        • Climate Change Resources
      • Citizen Science
      • Florida Reef Tract Rescue Project
      • Black-footed Ferret Recovery and Reintroduction Program Analysis
      • Party for the Planet
    • Conservation Funding
      • SAFE Granting Program
        • SAFE Matching Grant Challenge
        • SAFE Granting Program Review and Selection
        • SAFE Grant Awards
      • Conservation Grants Fund
        • Information for CGF Applicants
        • CGF Awards
      • Endangered Species COVID-19 Relief
      • Other Conservation Funding Sources
    • Field Conservation
      • Reintroduction Programs
      • Amphibian Conservation
      • Elephant Conservation
      • Marine Mammal Conservation
      • Ocean Conservation
      • Pollinator Conservation
      • Tiger Conservation
    • Green Practices
      • Resources for Greening Business Practices
        • Green Practices: Energy
        • Green Practices: Materials and Products
        • Green Practices: Water
        • Green Practices: Third-Party Certifications
        • Green Practices: Bird-Safe Buildings
        • Green Practices: Waste
        • Green Practices: Pocket Guides
    • Research and Science
      • Methods for Animal Behavior Research DVD
    • Conservation Education
      • Advocating for Education
      • Nature Play Begins at Your Zoo & Aquarium
  • Wildlife Trafficking Alliance
    • About Us
      • Partners
        • Partner Commitments
        • eBay Partnership
    • Illegal Wildlife Trade
      • Southern California Wildlife Confiscations Network
      • Species at Risk
    • What You Can Do
      • Reduce the Risk
      • Buy Informed
      • Tips For Travelers
      • Legislative Action Center
    • Partner Resources
    • News
    • Not A Pet
    • Toss the Tusk
  • Equity & Inclusion
    • Diversity Network Group
    • Modeling Zoos and Aquariums of Inclusive Communities of Science
  • AZA Services
    • Join
      • Individual Membership
      • Organization Membership
      • Conservation Partner
      • Society Partner
      • Commercial Membership
      • Student Membership
      • Advocate Membership
      • FAQs About Joining AZA
    • Conferences
      • Annual Conference
      • Mid-Year Meeting
      • Conference Proceedings
        • 2022 Annual Conference Posters
        • 2021 Annual Conference
        • 2021 Annual Conference Posters
        • 2020 Directors' Policy Conference
        • 2020 Annual Conference Posters
        • 2020 Annual Conference
      • Pizzazz
    • Government Affairs
      • Advocacy Webinar Series
      • Advocacy Day
      • Big Cat Public Safety Act
      • Federal Agencies and Public Comments
      • Legislative Education Center
    • Professional Development
      • Webinars
      • Courses
        • AZA Professional Development Course Policies
        • Scholarships
        • Animal Training Applications in Zoo and Aquarium Settings
        • Animal Welfare: Evidence-Based Management
        • Avian Management, Biology and Conservation
        • Behavioral Husbandry Best Practices for Your Animal Welfare Program
        • Creating Successful Exhibits
        • Crocodilian Biology and Professional Management
        • Effective Leadership: Foundation & Development
        • Environmental Enrichment in Zoos and Aquariums
        • Foundations of Conservation Learning
        • Institutional Records Keeping
        • Leadership in Conservation Learning
        • Managing Animal Enrichment and Training Programs
        • Population Management I: Data Management and Processing
        • Population Management II: Data Analysis and Breeding Recs
        • Principles of Elephant Management I
        • Principles of Elephant Management II
        • Principles of Ambassador Animal Management
        • Wheeling Courses Travel Information
      • Executive Leadership Development Program
        • Applying for ELDP
        • ELDP FAQs
    • Honors & Awards
      • SSP Sustainability Award
        • Sustainability Award Winners
      • Angela Peterson Excellence in Diversity Award
        • Diversity Award Winners
      • Education Award
        • Education Award Winners
      • Edward H. Bean Award
        • Bean Award Winners
      • Excellence in Marketing Award
        • Marketing Award Winners
      • Exhibit Award
        • Exhibit Award Winners
      • Facility Award
        • Facility Award Winners
      • The Green Award
        • Green Award Winners
      • Volunteer Engagement Award
        • Volunteer Engagement Award Winners
      • Research Award
        • Research Award Winners
      • North American Conservation Award
        • North American Conservation Award Winners
      • William G. Conway International Conservation Award
        • William G. Conway International Conservation Award Winners
      • R. Marlin Perkins Award for Professional Excellence
      • Animal Welfare Lifetime Achievement Award
      • Tim O'Sullivan Award for Professional Development
      • The Devra Kleiman Scientific Advancement Award
      • Wendy Fisher Award for Professional Excellence
      • Honorary Membership Award
    • Safety & Preparedness
      • Zoo and Aquarium Safety: Example Practices
      • Zoo and Aquarium All Hazards Partnership
      • Antivenom Index
    • Member Resources & Benefits
      • COVID-19 Resources
      • Data, Surveys, & Trends
        • Directors Demographic Survey
        • Economic Impact Reports
        • Benchmark Reports
        • Earned Revenue Data
        • Species Survival Statistics
        • Trends in Visitor Diversity
        • Visitor and Public Research
        • Volunteer Program Survey
        • Zoo and Aquarium Statistics
      • Why AZA Matters
      • AZA Member Discounted Admissions
      • AZA Member Logos
        • AZA Logo Usage Policy
      • AZA Commercial Member Logo
  • Connect
    • Connect Stories
    • Contribute to Connect
    • Connect Photo Contest Winners
    • Connect Photo Contest
    • Advertise
    • Connect Archives
    • Connect Photo Honorable Mentions
    • Connect Photo Highlights
Connect logo
1 2 3
Connect logo
news

Tennessee Aquarium, Partners Hit Milestone in Brook Trout Restoration Program

By Tennessee Aquarium
06/24/2020
min read
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

Shell Creek is pretty much a picture-perfect Appalachian mountain stream.

From headwaters within a stone’s throw of the Tennessee-North Carolina border, it descends through the Cherokee National Forest in a burbling dance over and around boulders coated in carpet-thick layers of green moss.

Shell Creek is an undeniably beautiful waterway rife with stairsteps of terraced falls separated by clear, slower-moving pools. Even more importantly to biologists, however, the creek’s upper reaches are largely free of non-native rainbow and brown trout thanks to a natural barrier preventing their movement upstream.

The absence of competition for resources makes this stretch of the Shell an ideal location for the next chapter in the restoration of the Southern Appalachian brook trout to its historic range.

Over the course of three years, brook trout restoration efforts were focused at Little Stony Creek, another cold-water stream about ten miles north of Shell Creek. In the last year, however, biologists were excited to find naturally spawned fish in Little Stony, a clear indication that restocking had been successful.

“The fish we introduced there are now producing enough on their own that we don’t have to help them anymore,” said Tennessee Aquarium Reintroduction Biologist, Meredith Harris. “This year feels like starting a new chapter. Now, it’s on to the next location.”

The first stocking effort at Shell Creek began before dawn as Harris and Reintroduction Assistant, Anna Quintrell, collected more than 400 juvenile brook trout from hatchery systems at the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute’s freshwater science center near downtown Chattanooga, Tenn. 

After getting the fish ready for a road trip in oxygenated bags cooled by ice packs, Harris and Quintrell drove more than 250 miles to reach a stretch of Shell Creek bordered by a meadow of waist-high grass off a steep, switchback gravel road.

Reintroduction Biologist Meredith Harris with brook trout

Once on site, Harris and Quintrell joined representatives from Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, U.S. Forest Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. While the brook trout acclimated to the water of their new home, the reintroduction team discussed where and how best to release their charges into the brisk, 58-degree current.

“The brook trout is the native species here in the Appalachians, and we want to get those back into our streams,” said Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Streams and Rivers Biologist, Sally Petre. “It’s nice to close the door a little bit on Little Stony Creek. Now, we can put effort into spawning and rearing fish to stock Shell Creek and hopefully see more production here, too.”

Brook trout—or “Brookies,” as they’re affectionately known to anglers and other ichthyophiles—used to thrive in places like Shell Creek. Beginning in the 1920s, however, the introduction of non-native species, clear-cutting of forests and alterations to streambeds saw brook trout species reduced to 15 percent of its historic range in the Southeastern United States.

In the wild, brook trout are wide-ranging and can be found from the Southern Appalachians into Canada. However, the southern strain of Brook Trout—the Southern Appalachian Brook Trout—is genetically distinct from northern populations.

In the 1980s, TWRA began what has become a decades-long quest to restore Brookies to their native southern waterways. In 2012, the Aquarium leant its expertise to this effort by spawning, hatching and raising juveniles for release back into the wild.

With the release of this year’s class of propagated fish, the restocking effort has seen more than 3,000 brook trout returned to their native waters.

The propagation process is a time-intensive affair, which begins in late October with the spawning and fertilization of eggs from brood stock at the Conservation Institute. The daily care of these juvenile fish is funded by the Appalachian Chapter of Trout Unlimited through the sale of special brook trout license plates.

Despite eight months of work rearing these juvenile trout to a releasable size, their reintroduction into Shell Creek was over in less than two hours.

Team members worked their way up and downstream over slick rocks and through patches of stinging nettles while carrying dip nets and buckets. Stopping occasionally along the waterway, team members carefully deposited fish, a few at a time, into calm pools and in the shadowy lee of overhanging boulders.

When reintroduced, these fingerlings are mostly pale silver—the only suggestion of their future brilliance being a faint reddening of their tail and pectoral fins. When they are full grown, brook trout are a riot of color, with white-edged fins and sides that brighten from olive to crimson with gold and red speckling. 

For those involved in such long-term conservation programs, the effort can sometimes feel like a battle of attrition, years of effort with few noteworthy signs of forward progress. Seeing successful wild breeding of reintroduced fish is a rare, special moment, Harris said.

“That’s the end game for us,” she said. “To put them back into the water and know that they’re swimming in the stream where they belong is just the best feeling in the world.”

Photo Credit
Top: © Todd Stailey, Tennessee Aquarium
Bottom: Reintroduction Biologist Meredith Harris, ©Tennessee Aquarium

Do you have news you'd like to submit to Connect? If so, e-mail a synopsis of the idea to Tim Lewthwaite, director of publications and brand at AZA.  We are always looking to share stories from our members.

Back to All Stories
    Related Stories
  • Oklahoma City Zoo Expert Leads Asian Elephant Research »
  • Nora, Oregon Zoo's Polar Bear, Helps with Arctic Conservation Challenge »
  • Houston Zoo Announces Opening of Galapagos Island Exhibit »
  • About
  • Accreditation
  • Animal Management
  • Conservation
  • AZA Services
Zoo & Aquarium Finder Join Contact AZA
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • My AZA
  • Calendar
  • Login
Contact AZA
8403 Colesville Rd., Suite 710
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3314
Phone: 301-562-0777
Tax ID: 68-0480736
EIN: 55-0526930
  • Corporate Partnerships
  • Advertise
  • Photo Credits
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
© 1997 - 2023 AZA • All Rights Reserved
Memphis Web Design by Speak
I Accept

This site uses cookies to offer you a better browsing experience. If you continue using our website, we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on this website and you agree to our Privacy Policy.

loading