LARGETOOTH SAWFISH ESCAPE LOCAL EXTINCTION IN PERU
The Largetooth Sawfish (Pristis pristis), was for a long time considered extirpated from Peru. But things seem to be different today. Peruvian researchers recently reported the capture of two individuals from the north coast of Peru, indicating that this species is still extant in Peruvian waters.
Largetooth sawfish is found worldwide in tropical and subtropical coastal regions, but also enters freshwater. It has declined drastically and is considered critically endangered. Gillnets are still a major threat for the species as both specimens were incidentally captured with this gear.
In Peru, the last year that sawfishes were observed was 1999. An the recent captured both individuals were adult-sized and their encounters occurred during the austral summer, which could indicate a seasonal presence in those waters. The three reports of sawfish are from the same area, the distribution of this species in Peru would seem to extend from the Ecuadorian border to Cabo Blanco in North Perú.
Researchers highlight the need to identify and protect critical habitats that could contribute to sawfish conservation, awareness, and legal protection of this species in Peru.
Photo by Nigel Downing
Reference (Open Access): Mendoza et al, 2017. The Largetooth Sawfish, Pristis pristis (Linnaeus, 1758), is not extirpated from Peru: new records from Tumbes. Check List














