Was the 'fur trout' rediscovered after 50 years of extinction?

A post about a “fur trout” being rediscovered in Wyoming has gone viral, but what is a fur trout and is it genuine?

The extinction of any living thing is a sad event, so when an apparent rediscovery is made in the wild it is typically cause for celebration.

Recently, a Facebook post on the page Casper Planet went viral after purporting to have rediscovered the allegedly extinct fur trout fish in waters in Wyoming in the United States.

The post shared an image of a fish with apparent fur, along with a description which claimed the species “hasn't been seen in over 50 years” until now.

They claimed: “The fur trout, known for its distinctive fur-like appearance, once thrived in the streams and rivers of western and northwestern Wyoming.”

It continued: “The rediscovery of the fur trout brings hope that this species may still exist in Wyoming’s waters, raising questions about the possibility of a small, surviving population.

“Wildlife experts are now considering what steps might be taken to protect the fur trout and ensure that this isn't the last time it graces Wyoming's streams.”

The post has gained over 17,000 reactions and over 8,000 shares on the social media site.

But, all is not as it seems as the fur trout is not a real species and the fish has never existed. Casper Planet, who posted about the fur trout, is a satirical “news” site which posts fictional, made-up stories.

Their Facebook bio reads: “Delivering the Snews that doesn’t matter directly to your Snews feed. Did we say this is satire? Satire, satire, humor, satire and opinion, names/locations are made up.”

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