(CNN) — The smalltooth sawfish, a critically endangered animal, is in even more danger than usual in the Florida seas. Six of the rare creatures washed up dead in the past seven days, officials reported Wednesday – a dramatic increase in mortality amid a mysterious die-off that has baffled scientists for months.
“There is no concrete, conclusive proof of what is happening yet and that is still to be determined, which is quite terrifying.” said Gregg Furstenwerth, a lifelong diver in the Florida Keys. “If it continues, it is going to be the end of this ecosystem as we know it.”The endangered smalltooth sawfish, marine creatures virtually unchanged for millions of years, are exhibiting erratic spinning behavior and dying in unusual numbers in Florida waters.
It is still a mystery as to why the sawfish have been dying in record numbers. But divers and anglers have also reported seeing a variety of other Spinning fish reports began in fall 2023. The spike in sawfish mortalities began in January 2024. It’s “possible that these two events could be related,” the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says.
A team of local, state and federal wildlife experts are scrambling to find out what’s causing the animals to go into these dangerous death spirals.
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