A new species of fish has been discovered in the state of Kerala, gaining recognition worldwide. This news has caught the attention of Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio, who took to his Instagram account to share the details of this remarkable find.
In his post, the actor wrote, “The wild is all around us, and sometimes, all it takes to discover a new species is going about a normal day. This was the case for Mr. Abraham, a local stage director living in Kerala State, India, who found a new species of fish while taking a shower. The hidden Pathala Eel Loach resides beneath the soil’s surface in the narrow aquifers of the southern Indian state of Kerala, in complete darkness. Despite this fortunate discovery, accessing these fish and unlocking their secrets is no easy task. Follow the link in bio to read more about how citizen science in Kerala State, India, is the key for researchers to study these unknown, underground ecosystems.”
According to the report from rewild.org, Mr. Abraham quickly grabbed the closest glass jar he could find and placed the newfound creature inside it. Subsequently, he contacted researchers from the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies. The researchers, in turn, located three more fish of the same species in Abraham’s 17-feet well.
Little did Mr. Abraham know that a simple act like taking a shower would lead him to this extraordinary find. In an incredible stroke of luck, he discovered the elusive Pathala Eel Loach, a sightless subterranean freshwater fish.