Current:Home > News3 endangered sawfish born at SeaWorld – the first successful captive birth of the species in the U.S.-LoTradeCoin
3 endangered sawfish born at SeaWorld – the first successful captive birth of the species in the U.S.
View Date:2024-12-24 00:29:07
Three smalltooth sawfish pups have been born at SeaWorld Orlando, the aquarium announced. It the only aquarium in the U.S. to have the endangered species, SeaWorld said — and only one other aquarium in the world has welcomed a successful birth of the pups, SeaWorld says in a news release.
Two females and one male were born in July and continued to have regular check ups to make sure they are healthy. The fish look like small sharks and about 2 feet long at birth
While they have shark-like properties like fins and teeth and they belong to the fish group, elasmobranchs, which includes sharks, they are categorized as rays, according to SeaWorld.
Like rays and sharks, these fish don't have bones, butcartilage. Their gills and mouths are found on their undersides and they have a long snout lined with 22-29 teeth, hence the name, according to NOAA Fisheries.
Smalltooth sawfish are native to the Atlantic Ocean and often make their way into river systems in Florida, SeaWorld says. There are two adult smalltooth sawfish at SeaWorld Orlando and in May, veterinarians at the park found the female was pregnant.
She was taken to the Aquarium Health Center to be monitored and give birth.
"This is an extraordinary success in the realm of sawfish conservation, and it is our privilege to provide world-class care for this critically endangered species," said Dr. Joseph Gaspard, vice president of zoological operations at SeaWorld Orlando. "The birth of these smalltooth pups allows for a greater understanding of how to turn the tide on the declining sawfish populations and spread the message of education to our millions of guests that visit each year."
This fish is the first marine fish to receive protection from the Endangered Species Act. They were marked critically endangered in 2003 after loss of habitat and fishing led to a decline in their population, according to SeaWorld.
Under the Endangered Species Act, animals that are endangered or threatened cannot be legally caught or killed, according to NOAA Fisheries. It is also illegal to harm or harass animals on the list. Sometimes, however, fish like the smalltooth sawfish are accidentally captured when fishermen are fishing other species. There are guidelines for how to help an accidentally captured animal that is a protected species.
While the fish used to be found in the Gulf of Mexico and along the East Coast up to North Carolina, they are mainly found on the coast of Florida now, due to the decline in population, according to NOAA Fisheries. There is little data on their population and it is unclear how many exist today.
SeaWorld says the birth of the three pups is made more meaningful by the fact that this is the only species of sawfish that is found in the U.S. and there is an interest in understanding their reproduction to try and combat population decline.
Smalltooth sawfish give birth to seven to 14 pups at a time and pregnancy is believed to last 12 months, with females able to give birth every other year, according to NOAA Fisheries.
Caitlin O'KaneCaitlin O'Kane is a digital content producer covering trending stories for CBS News and its good news brand, The Uplift.
veryGood! (3812)
Related
- It's about to be Red Cup Day at Starbucks. When is it and how to get the free coffee swag?
- 23-year-old California TV producer dies falling 30 feet from banned rope swing
- A camp teaches Ukrainian soldiers who were blinded in combat to navigate the world again
- North Carolina restricts gender-affirming care for minors; other laws targeting trans youth take effect
- Stressing over Election Day? Try these apps and tools to calm your nerves
- Gov. Tony Evers to lead trade mission to Europe in September
- New Zealand mother convicted of killing her 3 young daughters
- The risk-free money move most Americans are missing out on
- Are Dancing with the Stars’ Jenn Tran and Sasha Farber Living Together? She Says…
- Authorities charge 10 current and former California police officers in corruption case
Ranking
- Denzel Washington teases retirement — and a role in 'Black Panther 3'
- 'The Blind Side' lawsuit: Tuohy family intends to end conservatorship for Michael Oher
- 3 suspected spies for Russia arrested in the U.K.
- NYC bans use of TikTok on city-owned phones, joining federal government, majority of states
- Maryland man wanted after 'extensive collection' of 3D-printed ghost guns found at his home
- USWNT Coach Vlatko Andonovski Resigns After Surprise Defeat in 2023 World Cup
- Dozens of Senegalese migrants are dead or missing after their boat is rescued with 38 survivors
- Contract talks continue nearly 2 months into strike at Pennsylvania locomotive plant
Recommendation
-
Suspect in deadly 2023 Atlanta shooting is deemed not competent to stand trial
-
Ex-Anaheim mayor to plead guilty in federal corruption case over Angel Stadium sale
-
NBA Christmas Day schedule features Lakers-Celtics, Nuggets-Warriors among five games
-
Former district attorney in western Pennsylvania gets prison time for attacking a woman
-
Jason Kelce Jokes He Got “Mixed Reviews” From Kylie Kelce Over NSFW Commentary
-
Inmates at Northern California women’s prison sue federal government over sexual abuse
-
Family of pregnant mother of 3 fatally shot by police in Denver suburb sues
-
Maine governor calls for disaster declaration to help recover from summer flooding