Current Affairs - International - Discussion

The critically endangered Cuban gar has been recently documented in Cuba, specifically within the Zapata Swamp, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve known for its rich yet fragile ecosystem. This predatory fish faces multiple threats including habitat degradation, overfishing, pollution, and the spread of invasive species. One major invasive competitor, the African walking catfish introduced in 1999, has intensified predation and resource competition, accelerating the decline of the Cuban gar. The ecological imbalance caused by invasives poses a severe risk to Cuba’s endemic species, making conservation efforts increasingly urgent.