Sturgeon Biology and Conservation

The video explores the endangered white sturgeon in the upper Columbia River. It discusses their anatomy, behavior, and the challenges they face due to dams affecting their reproduction. A surgical procedure is performed to determine the gender of a sturgeon, revealing it is a female ready to spawn. The sturgeon is tagged with a sonic transmitter for tracking and then released back into the river.

What is the primary concern regarding the white sturgeon in the upper Columbia River?

• They are invasive.

• They are an endangered species.

• They are overpopulated.

• They are a new species.

How do the sturgeon's fins help it in the water?

• They help it orient into the current.

• They are used for defense.

• They help it to fly.

• They are used for mating.

What has caused the sturgeon population to adapt to a new diet?

• Construction of dams.

• Introduction of new predators.

• Climate change.

• Pollution in the river.

What is the weight of the sturgeon after subtracting the stretcher's weight?

• 125 pounds

• 115 pounds

• 100 pounds

• 130 pounds

Why is the sturgeon population declining?

• They are being hunted by predators.

• They are migrating to other rivers.

• They cannot reproduce due to the dams.

• They are being overfished.

What was discovered during the surgical examination of the sturgeon?

• It had eggs and was likely to spawn.

• It was a male.

• It was tagged previously.

• It had a disease.

What tool is used to look inside the sturgeon during the examination?

• A microscope

• An autoscope

• A telescope

• A stethoscope

What is the purpose of tagging the sturgeon with a sonic tag?

• To track its spawning behavior.

• To identify it in the future.

• To monitor its health.

• To track its migration patterns.

How long is the lifespan of the sonic tag used on the sturgeon?

• 10 years

• 5 years

• 15 years

• 20 years

What is the final step after tagging the sturgeon?

• Transporting it to another location.

• Keeping it for further study.

• Feeding it before release.

• Releasing it back into the river.