Elusive Sawfish on the Razor Edge of Extinction

Elusive Sawfish on the Razor Edge of Extinction
by David DeFranza, Washington, DC on 04.25.11
Travel & Nature

Click the link for a video.
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/04/elusive-sawfish-on-the-razor-edge-of-extinction.php




Though easily identified by it's toothy nose, or rostrum, the sawfish is an elusive and poorly understood denizen of the world's tropical rivers. It's also critically endangered and under continued threat by poaching and commercial fishing bycatch.

Extreme angler, biologist, and host of Animal Planet's River Monsters, Jeremy Wade, traveled to Australia—one of the few places in the world that still has a notable population—to learn more.

The characteristic toothed nose that gives the sawfish its name is also prone to tangling in nets. In addition, the fins of the fish are highly prized for soup in Asia, while the rostrum and other parts are sold as ingredients in traditional medicines.


Sawfish are popular additions to aquariums around the world, but keeping them alive—and more importantly, breeding—is a challenge. To date, only one sawfish has been born in captivity. Scientists believe this is because so little of the fish's life cycle is known and, likely, aquarium habitats neglect to provide habitat features critical for completion.

Tracking the fish in one of its few remaining natural habitats may help answer some of these questions.

River Monsters: Chainsaw Predator premieres Sunday, May 1st at 10PM E/P

I once rescheduled a date cuz a new River Monsters was premiering that night. naw im just kidding, i didnt have a date.

this is a very cool fish. i have always wondered by they had the saw like snout. do they use it like a marlin does to kill or stun prey.

ye they swish the thing back and forth hoping to stab a fish or stun it.

yeah just like swordfish. cool. it is such a crazy looking fish!!!