Think Out Loud

The oldest species in the Northwest is at the Oregon Zoo for the first time. The Pacific lamprey is a native species that has survived more than 400 million years until declining significantly in the early 2000s. After a long effort to increase populations, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Oregon Zoo and U.S Fish and Wildlife Service have collaborated to introduce five Pacific lampreys to the zoo in hopes to raise awareness of their crucial role. We talk with Aaron Jackson, Lamprey Project leader for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation about why lampreys are ecologically and culturally important and how they are adapting to their new temporary home.