Improving Water Quality, One Carp at a Time

Roger Williams Park Zoo is partnering with the Stormwater Innovation Center, The Nature Conservancy, Audubon Society of Rhode Island, Providence Parks Department, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on an important effort to improve water quality throughout Roger Williams Park’s ponds and wetlands.

One of the biggest challenges facing these ecosystems is the abundance of non-native invasive carp. These fish stir up sediment as they feed, reducing water clarity, disrupting aquatic plants and degrading habitat for native wildlife.

Thanks to grant funding, the Zoo’s wetlands are serving as a pilot site to study whether removing carp can improve water quality over time and help native plants and wildlife recover. The results will help determine whether this approach can be expanded to other ponds throughout Roger Williams Park.

The first carp removal took place on July 9 and 10, 2026, when project partners removed 266 carp from the Zoo’s wetlands. Ten fish were retained for contaminant testing, which will help determine whether carp can be safely repurposed in the future. Possibilities being explored include using them as bait for commercial fisheries in place of native species, such as skates and horseshoe crabs, or composting them into a beneficial soil product.

Until testing is complete, all remaining carp removed from the Zoo’s wetlands will be relocated to Polo Lake and other areas of the park’s pond system. Carp removals will continue once or twice a month through the fall as researchers monitor the wetlands and evaluate the project’s long-term impact.

Healthy wetlands support healthier wildlife, cleaner water and a more resilient Roger Williams Park for generations to come.

Roger Williams Park Zoo is Rhode Island’s number one outdoor family and tourist attraction, and a leader in conservation efforts undertaken by a zoo of its size. As leaders in conservation and animal care – we create engaging experiences that empower guests to join us in conserving wildlife and wild places. The Rhode Island Zoological Society operates and funds Roger Williams Park Zoo as a partner of the City of Providence, which provides ongoing support. The Zoo is one of many features in historic Roger Williams Park.

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