Biologists Rescue Distressed Sawfish in Florida Keys Amid Mysterious Die-Off

The rescue of a smalltooth sawfish in the Florida Keys is part of a broader investigation into the unexplained deaths of dozens of these endangered species.

A distressed 11-foot smalltooth sawfish exhibiting abnormal behavior was rescued and is being rehabilitated at Mote Marine Laboratory.
Over 38 smalltooth sawfish have died under mysterious circumstances in the Florida Keys since January, with no clear cause identified yet.
Water tests and necropsies have ruled out common factors like bacterial infections, toxins, and environmental conditions as causes of the die-off.
Scientists speculate that a toxin called gambierdiscus, linked to a food-borne illness in humans, might be involved but have not confirmed this as the cause of the sawfish deaths.
The public has played a crucial role in reporting distressed fish, aiding biologists and researchers in their ongoing investigation into the phenomenon.