Is the Alligator Gar of River Monsters Fame in Danger?

01/17/2011

The largest known population of alligator gar fish in Tupelo Bay in Arkansas may be threatened by the arrival of a sewage plant in the middle of its spawning ground. Recently, University of Central Arkansas Professor Mark Spitzer sent a letter to the Arkansas Times expressing his concern over the plans, worrying that the proposed plant might harm the next spawn, and alter water temperature and levels to make future spawns less effective. Spitzer is an advocate for the prehistoric fish and author of “Season of the Gar: Adventures in Pursuit of America’s Most Misunderstood Fish.”

Read more at the Arkansas Times.

The alligator gar was featured in an episode of River Monsters with Jeremy Wade, where he traveled to Texas to face the much maligned fish known to roam the rivers, streams and bayous of the southeastern United States.

An ancient fish that has existed for 100 million years, the alligator gar has been accused of vicious attacks on humans with its alligator snout and double row of dagger-like teeth. But little evidence exists of such attacks.

Photo Credits: Courtesy of the USFWS | DCL | Sea World of California/Corbis |

Comments

[George]

I would be a shame to lose this magnificent and ancient fish to "human progress" wouldn't it!

[Jamaica]

Magnificent fish indeed.Hopefully,not endangered.

In fact,I seek for a spot to draw attention that sponsorship for an operation on Crocodile Gena, from Ukraine Zoo,is needed, after swallowing handy of zoo visitor.
American Ukranian vet is on trying to help, but needs sponsoring help.

Can Animal Planet do anything to help in this case? There are more than 50 issues on Crocodile Gena on the net,the incident occured in December,and the operation has been posponed so far.
Hopefully you can!

[www.ligerworld.com]

Wow this is such a magnificent specie .... I never knew it...again it is highly shameful to know that these gator fish are near to extinction as well. What is going on all around us? Aren't we becoming too much bothersome for the other species in the world? I think yes..