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First Juvenile Sawfish born at SeaWorld Orlando makes his public debut at the theme park

Shane Walton
Oct 20
2 min read

First juvenile sawfish born at SeaWorld Orlando moves into public habitat, giving guests a rare chance to see this critically endangered species up close.

First Juvenile Sawfish born at SeaWorld Orlando makes his public debut

SaWorld Orlando is marking a major conservation milestone, as the first time ever, a

juvenile smalltooth sawfish named Axel, born at the park is moving into a guest-facing habitat

at the Manta Aquarium.

Axel is part of a historic trio of sawfish pups born in 2023 — a rare and significant event for a

species that’s critically endangered. Now, guests will be able to see this remarkable animal up

close, giving the public a front-row seat to an inspiring conservation story in action.

“This moment is the culmination of years of collaboration, dedication, and discovery,” said Dr.

Dana Lindemann, Veterinarian at SeaWorld Orlando. “By bringing this young sawfish into view,

we can inspire future generations, while continuing to advance critical research and contribute

to the recovery of this species.”

Check out the latest theme park news and updates from Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando, LEGOLAND Florida, and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

A Rare Birth with Global Impact

Sawfish births in human care are incredibly rare. SeaWorld Orlando is currently the only

aquarium in the U.S. to care for smalltooth sawfish and just the second in the world to

successfully welcome pups.

Since their birth in July 2023, the pups have been thriving behind

the scenes, growing to three times their birth length and offering scientists valuable insight into

how these mysterious fish mature and develop.

National Conservation Efforts

Smalltooth sawfish once thrived in U.S. waters but saw their numbers plummet due to habitat

loss and accidental catch. They became the first marine fish protected by the U.S. Endangered

Species Act in 2003. Today, they’re mostly found in Florida’s coastal waters and chances to see

one up close are almost unheard of.

SeaWorld has provided long-term care over the past 30 years for adult sawfish, including the

parents of these offsprings. SeaWorld serves as active participants in the Association of Zoos

and Aquariums (AZA) Survival Plan and working with partners to protect and study these

extraordinary animals.

The move to the Manta Aquarium opens a new chapter in that work, connecting everyday

guests with a species most people will never see in the wild… while contributing to research

that could help secure their future.

For more information, visit SeaWorld.com.

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