State vs. snakehead
The week's news at a glance.
Crofton, Md.
Scientists began poisoning a Maryland pond this week, hoping to kill Chinese northern snakehead fish discovered there this summer. “This is the beginning of the end for the snakehead fish,” said Heather Lynch, a spokeswoman for Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources. “Time is up.” Snakeheads are voracious predators that can grow to 3 feet, and can slither over land in search of new prey-stocked bodies of water. Their presence in the pond alarmed wildlife biologists, who feared the alien species could escape and take over Maryland’s waterways. Snakeheads are normally found in China, but a local man dumped a pair into the pond two years ago after they ate all his goldfish and outgrew his aquarium.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.