Jell-O Used To Kill Trout in Yellowstone National Park

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Jell-O Used To Kill Trout in Yellowstone National Park

by Jerry James Stone in Fishing, Freshwater Ecosystems

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Jell-O may be used to kill off non-native trout in Yellowstone National Park. Yes … I said Jell-O. Illegally introduced into the park, lake trout heavily threatens the native cutthroat trout in Yellowstone Lake. Something the park service has been contending with since 1994.

I’m trying to picture a Bill Cosby commercial for this.

The biggest threat posed by the lake trout is its longevity. Compared to cutthroat trout, a lake trout can live up to three-times longer. In addition, lake trout outweigh cutthroat trout by about 15 pounds. Once a lake trout reaches 4 years of age, it starts eating cutthroat trout. A few years later, it lives off of cutthroat trout almost exclusively.

But Jell-O isn’t the only consideration for removing the trout. Sorry Bill, no commercial deal just yet. Other possibilities include ultrasound, microwaves and electroshock.

photo by adamrice

Carp Jell-O Mold

Seriously? Am I the only one who thinks this sounds like a movie starring some SNL alumni?

If “death by Jell-O” is chosen, it will be spread over the fish eggs to smother them. Most likely this will be done during late fall which is the fish’s spawning season.

I have to say that is one un-honorable death; it’s Darwin Award worthy. But I have to ask, if Jell-O is chosen then why not use a pectin based product? Does it have to be gelatin-based?

The researcher--Al Zale--received a grant from the National Park Service and heads the Montana Cooperative Fishery Research Unit at Montana State University. Zale and his team will continue to analyze different solutions and recommend the best one.

In case you were wondering, the Jell-O would probably be unflavored.

This story was originally published at Care2.

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Posted on Apr 28, 2009

Tags:

Al Zale, Bill Cosby, gelatin, JELL-O, jello, spawining, trout, Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park

About the Author

Jerry James Stone

Jerry is a web developer, part-time blogger and a full-time environmentalist. His crusade for all things eco started twenty years ago when he ditched his meat-and-potatoes upbringing for something more vegetarian-shaped. Jerry also blogs over at Treehugger. His passions include green tech, eco politics and smart green design. And while he doesn't own a car anymore, he loves to write about those too. Jerry studied at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, CA. During his time there he was a DJ at the campus station KCPR and he also wrote for the campus paper. Jerry currently resides in San Francisco, CA with his cat Lola. You can stalk him on Twitter @jerryjamesstone.

3 Responses to “Jell-O Used To Kill Trout in Yellowstone National Park”

Wendy

Twitter: @MyGreenSide
Apr 28, 2009

If they can identify the unwanted fishes eggs, why can’t they just scoop them up and bring them to their natural habitat? What am I missing?

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Eco Links to Green Your Weekend | FollowGreen.com says:

May 1, 2009 at 5:06 am

[...] oceans – and on the other, we have invasive Yellowstone lake trout being killed off with Jell-O. Yep, you heard me. Thanks go to Blue Living Ideas for making my head [...]
Jell-O Used To Kill Trout in Yellowstone National Park - Wildlife Gardeners - North American Wildlife Gardening says:

June 18, 2009 at 7:01 pm

[...] To Kill Trout in Yellowstone National Park by Jerry James Stone in Fishing, Freshwater Ecosystems Jell-O Used To Kill Trout in Yellowstone National Park | Blue Living Ideas excerpts from above: [...]