Known from Stajnicka Jaruga. Historical records from Zagorska Dreznica, Dobra and Mreznica drainages not confirmed. Threatened due to water abstraction, pollution and introduction of Salmo trutta. Considered on the very edge of extinction, with a single small population known (Ref. 59043). Also Ref. 12255, 26100, 27368, 89938.

Status of threat: Critically endangered (Ref. 59043, 119201).

Should be listed as criticallyendangered (CR) following the IUCN criteria [version 3.1 (IUCN, 2001), and following 7.0 guidelines (IUCN, 2008)] because the area of occupancy of the species is very small (<1 km2) (Ref. 87378).

Telestes polylepis is a strictly protected native species under the Nature Protection Act and the Ordinance on the proclamation of protected and strictly protected wild taxa (OG 07/06) and is internationally protected under the Bern Convention (Annex III) (Ref. 87378).