Wildlife in the Jordan River

Biodiversity of the Jordan River Basin

The Jordan River (251 km, flowing from Hula Valley → Sea of Galilee → Dead Sea) supports a unique mix of freshwater, brackish, and terrestrial species adapted to its arid, heavily modified environment.

🐟 Fish (18+ species; many introduced)

• Native: Galilee killifish (Aphanius dispar – endemic to Sea of Galilee & tributaries), Jordan barbel (Luciobarbus longiceps), Damascus barbel (Luciobarbus capito), Levantine scraper (Capoeta damascina).
• Introduced: Common carp, Nile tilapia, grass carp, silver carp, mosquitofish, rainbow trout (stocked).
• Migratory: European eel (Anguilla anguilla) – catadromous, critically endangered.

🐸 Amphibians

• Eastern spadefoot toad (Pelobates syriacus)
• Fire salamander (Salamandra infraimmaculata)
• Green toad (Bufotes viridis)
• Marsh frog (Pelophylax ridibundus)
• Tristram's frog (Pelophylax tristrami) – Endemic, endangered.

🐍 Reptiles

• Balkan water snake (Natrix tessellata)
• European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis)
• Jordan River frog (Pelophylax sp. – taxonomic confusion)
• Levant viper (Macrovipera lebetina) – venomous
• Palestine viper (Daboia palaestinae) – venomous

🦦 Mammals

• Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) – reintroduced (Hula).
• Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) – rare, flagship species.
• Water shrew (Neomys anomalus)
• Levant vole (Microtus guentheri)
• Greater white-toothed shrew (Crocidura russula)

Conservation Status

Severely impacted by water diversion (90%+ flow removed), pollution, invasive species, habitat loss. The Jordan River Rehabilitation initiatives (NGOs, governments) aim to restore environmental flows and water quality.