City Urges Proper Disposal of Unwanted Aquarium Plants, Animals

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 13, 2011

For more information contact
City of Bloomington Animal Shelter, (812) 349-3492
[Elizabeth Tompkins|mailto:[email protected]], Natural Resources Coordinator, Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department, (812) 349-3736

Bloomington, IN - The City of Bloomington Environmental Commission congratulates graduating IU students on their accomplishments, and sends an important reminder to anyone who is moving a household or just doing some housecleaning in preparation for the holidays: emptying aquariums into natural or man-made waterways can be detrimental to the health of the community.

Many aquarium plants and animals are not native to Indiana, and can wreak havoc on the local environment. Invasion by non-native plant and animal species can cause oxygen depletion and loss of native habitat in lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands. Since many storm sewer systems drain into local streams, aquariums should not be emptied into sewers or flushed down toilets.

City officials suspect that Brazilian elodea, an invasive plant commonly sold as an oxygenating aquarium plant, was introduced to Griffy Lake in 2003 when home aquariums and their contents were dumped into the lake.

"It is our responsibility as stewards of our local environment to assure that non-native plant and animal species do not become established in our waterways, or anywhere in Bloomington," Kriste Lindberg, Bloomington Environmental Commission member, said. "There are much better ways of getting rid of an aquarium or aquatic plants and animals that are no longer wanted, besides dumping them in the closest borrow pit, creek, or pond."

Lindberg added the same goes for exotic pets such as turtles, snakes, frogs and lizards. No captive animal, no matter what species, should be released into the wild.

The City of Bloomington Animal Shelter will accept unwanted aquariums, aquatic plants and other animal species. For more information on relinquishing aquarium plants and animals, contact the Shelter at 349-3492 or [visit the Animal Shelter Web site|Animal Care and Control].

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