Wildlife Agencies Will Poison Invasive Species (Note: Whatever happened to survival of the fittest -- or that fleeting will-o'-the-wisp known as "biodiversity" that is so often chanted as the mantra of The Wildlands Project? This is speciesism and has nothing to do with being a "real environmentalist." Shades of Ted Turner's Cherry Creek poisoning in Montana.) November 10, 2005 The Associated Press KUTV Salt Lake City, Utah 801-415-2222 http://kutv.com http://kutv.com/contact (website form)  Wildlife officials whose job it is to protect the Virgin River are poisoning it this week in hopes of killing off an invasive fish that's been out-competing native species. The effort is aimed at ridding the river of the red shiner, a nonnative fish that competes with the Virgin River chub and woundfin minnow, both endangered species. In the stretch of river targeted, the native species were caught and released farther upstream to escape the poison. They are expected to return on their own to the area after the poison is neutralized. Officials say the poisoning is closely monitored to minimize environmental risks. The red shiners, once used as live bait at Lake Mead, have made their way up the Virgin River. A fish barrier was constructed upstream to stop them from spreading farther. Participating agencies include the Virgin River Resource Management and Recovery Program, the state Division of Wildlife Resources, the federal Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services. About $150,000 has been spent so far on the project. Copyright 2005, KUTV. http://kutv.com/topstories/local_story_314140407.html