Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program: Arizona
Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources

Gila Chub, Gila intermedia, are federally endangered and occupy streams in New Mexico, Arizona, and Mexico (Minckley 1973). Gila chub are threatened by humans due to habitat loss, non-native species invasions, and direct removal. To help reduce these threats, we are using visual media to interact and communicate with the public. We developed a presentation of underwater footage of Gila chub for display on a high definition 4K 55”-TV in the exhibit hall of a visitor center. The video is about 4 minutes long and displays pop-up facts about the fish and their conservation. Specifically, our objectives were (1) to help produce a video on Gila chub and (2) record visitor reaction to the video. Our exhibit averaged 67 visitors per weekend day and 46 per week day. This translates roughly into a total of 3,484 visitors observing the exhibit on weekends over the course of a year; and a total of 11,960 observing the exhibit during the week over a course of a year, for a total of 15,444 visitors per year. From feedback from both visitors and staff, and the results of our observations, this exhibit seems to be a huge success in the visitor center with the public successfully becoming informed about Gila chub. We are providing the exhibit itself, and data of visitor reactions to our exhibit to staff at the Sabino Canyon Visitor Center, and a report of the exhibit to the Desert Fishes Council. The video presentation can be viewed on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVJpw1sOwqo. We are currently investigating other opportunities to present similar information on other Southwestern fishes. Partners include the USFS and The Desert Fishes Council.