Goldfish discarded in Edina lake become food for Minnesota Zoo animals

Several organizations and agencies across the Twin Cities are teaming up to combat an interesting problem at a local lake with a very creative solution.

In recent years, goldfish have become a pervasive problem at Lake Cornelia in Edina; so much so that thousands have had to be removed from the water.

Initially tossed out by pet owners, the goldfish are pests and stir up the bottom of the lake, causing algae to bloom and the water to become cloudy.

Instead of being left to rot, these invasive fish – along with carp harvested from rivers – are now finding a new purpose as food for bears, otters, and sea lions at the Minnesota Zoo through a new partnership with The Nine Mile Creek Watershed District.

So far, the zoo says the bears have been devouring the carp, and the sea lions are “tent