Visitors to the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center have the rare opportunity to see not one, but two unique aquatic species. The center, located near the intersection of Kingshighway and Highway 55, is the new home to the pallid sturgeon and the western lesser siren.
Although both are native to the Southeast Missouri area, it is rare to see either in the wild. This is because the pallid sturgeon is an endangered species, and the western lesser siren is considered a threatened species.
David Herzog is the Resource Science Field Station Supervisor. He said the species are in trouble because of over-harvest, pollution, and habitat change. Herzog said researchers appreciate when nature centers help bring awareness about endangered species to the public.
“Well it means a great deal. First and foremost, if you want to have changes in terms of being able to regulate a fishery or enhance a fishery you need to have the public behind you,” Herzog said. “For us to have the pallid sturgeon in the Cape Girardeau Nature Center, it allows the public to come in and see an endangered species firsthand.”
Sara Turner, the Nature Center Manager, said that it’s very special to have two rare species on display at the same time. While most exhibits get refreshed regularly, the sturgeon and lesser siren will be a permanent display.
She encourages people to come experience animals from their area that they may not know much about.
“People don’t realize what’s in their own backyard here in Missouri,” Turner said. “They know all about what’s in Africa and Australia from watching National Geographic and other shows on television. But we have some of the coolest critters on the planet right here in Southeast Missouri that they don’t have to go very far to see.”
The center gets between 6,000 and 8,000 visitors a month and is free to the public.
