7 days ago
WATCH: World's last Paddlefish species released into Missouri River
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Missouri River is now home to one kind of fish that recently became the last of its species.
SEA LIFE Kansas City says that they've released dozens of American Paddlefish into the river after caring for them at their Kansas City Aquarium for nearly a year. Now, the Paddlefish will hopefully begin to regrow their population.
Travis, Jason Kelce's Garage Beer announce ownership of professional football team
The American Paddlefish just recently became the last remaining Paddlefish species. Four other species were declared extinct in 2022 due to habitat loss, pollution, overfishing and dams.
SEA LIFE says that the work, in partnership with United States Fish and Wildlife Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery, included cutting-edge tracking technology and dedicated rehab and relase efforts in Kansas City.
Also, the aquarium taught the Paddlefish their natural filter-feeding techniques by feeding them small mysis shrimp and live baby brine shrimp.
Public health advisory issued due to sewer overflow near Leawood treatment facility
In addition to the release, the aquarium will be hanging onto a small number of the fish until they are two years to fit them with acoustic transmitters. Those transmitters help researchers find where the fish are going and is vital to saving the fish from extinction, SEA LIFE says.
The remaining Paddlefish are currently on display at SEA LIFE Kansas City.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
