The term "invasive species" usually brings to mind a dangerous, destructive creature overtaking a beautiful landscape.
It would typically hardly cause people to think of plump, little goldfish.
But that is exactly the animal that has wildlife officials in Boulder, Colorado worried.
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A press release by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife reveals that 12-acre Teller Lake #5 has been overrun by thousands of goldfish.
It is thought that what started out as a few abandoned pet goldfish multiplied into what could be as many as 4,000 non-native fish now in the lake.
Boulder district wildlife manager Jennifer Churchill says that invasive species like these can cause disease and do serious damage, explaining, "Goldfish are not a native species and are very harmful to the local aquatic ecosystem."
The CPW further states that the fish "will likely need to be removed to maintain the integrity of the lake."
They have two ways of doing that with such a massive amount of fish: either drain the lake, or electrofishing, which stuns fish and causes them to float to the top of the water.
The fish are then collected as they lay paralyzed on the surface.
Despite interest, people will not be allowed to collect the goldfish for pets.
They will likely head to a local raptor rehabilitation program where they will end up as food.
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