The Division of Aeronautics transformed a roughly day-long road trip from Roswell, New Mexico, to Logan, Utah, into a swift 2 ½-hour flight. "It’s a lot healthier for the fish and the people," said UDOT Chief Pilot Greg Peterson, who facilitated the transport along with copilot Jake Peterson, noting the strain the drive could’ve been. 

DWR's goal was to prevent extinction by safely moving a crucial breeding population to the Aquatic Animal Health and Research Center in Logan and emphasized that air transport was vital for a safe and effective relocation.

UDOT's King Air airplane was the ideal solution. Peterson explained that the versatile plane only required removing seats to accommodate oxygenated fish in coolers. Beyond speed, the flight proved more economical, as the drastically reduced travel time cut overall costs. Peterson also noted that the pressurized cabin allowed biologists to constantly monitor the fish's oxygen levels.

While known for roads, UDOT's Division of Aeronautics provides critical and sometimes unseen state services, including emergency transport, like getting inspectors to the Panguitch Dam in 2024. For the biologists, the successful mission was deeply personal, preventing a species from going extinct on their watch. This partnership demonstrates that UDOT's commitment to moving Utah forward sometimes requires taking to the sky to protect the state's fragile resources.