TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A smalltooth sawfish was rescued from the Florida Keys on last week, a first for researchers who have been trying to find the answer to what has been killing the endangered animal.
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Biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife (FWC) Conservation Commission and Mote Marine Laboratory responded to calls of the animal swimming in circles in Cudjoe Bay, completing a field assessment that included taking samples, measurements, and tagging the animal before attempting the rescue.
CREDIT: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation CommissionCREDIT: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation CommissionCREDIT: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation CommissionCREDIT: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
The 11.15 ft male sawfish was taken to a temporary holding tank on April 5 before being taken to the Mote Marine Laboratory’s facility Thursday morning.
“Led by NOAA, our biologists and partners have taken an unprecedented step to rescue an adult smalltooth sawfish in the Keys. This has not been attempted before, but this unusual mortality event made this necessary,” said Gil McRae, Director of FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. “We are hopeful this rescue and rehabilitation of
