Mural celebrates 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, a local artist in St. Petersburg, Florida, has unveiled a vibrant mural raising awareness for the endangered smalltooth sawfish.

The mural, painted by Kelly Quinn of Canvas of the Wild, depicts a realistic sawfish swimming in its natural habitat, surrounded by other wildlife. It is interactive, allowing visitors to learn more about the sawfish and other endangered species by scanning a QR code with their phones.

Pristis pectinata in Aquarium of the Americas

“I wanted to bring this realistic aspect, something really colorful, really fun, into the environment and then also having that touchpoint of education so people can take the next step to learn more and feel empowered to do something with that knowledge,” Quinn said.

The smalltooth sawfish is a unique and fascinating creature, but it is also one of the most endangered fish in the world. It is estimated that there are only a few thousand sawfish left in the wild, and their population is declining.

“I think it’s important to buoy the act up and show the successes that we’ve been able to achieve over the last 50 years,” said Adam Brame, a recovery coordinator with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “In the case of smalltooth sawfish, this species is celebrating its 20th anniversary on the endangered species list.”

The Endangered Species Act has helped to save 99 percent of listed species, but there is still more work to be done. The smalltooth sawfish is just one example of the many endangered species that need our help.

We can all do our part to protect endangered species by learning more about them, supporting conservation organizations, and making sustainable choices in our daily lives.