Peru – The resurgence of a long-lost marine giant collides with a deep-rooted cultural tradition, as cockfighting spurs crafted from sawfish rostral teeth fuel fears of renewed extinction.
A Living Fossil Rediscovered
A Living Fossil Rediscovered (Image Credits: Imgs.mongabay.com)
Fishermen in northern Peru pulled a nearly 5-meter largetooth sawfish from nets off the coast in March 2014, marking the first confirmed sighting in decades. The species, Pristis pristis, a shark-like ray with a chainsaw-like rostrum lined by modified scales resembling teeth, had been presumed extirpated from Peruvian waters. Additional encounters followed in 2015 near Zorritos and Cancas in Tumbes province, including a 6-meter specimen tangled in gillnets. These rare bycatch events highlighted remnant populations in shallow coastal areas and mangroves, nurseries vital for the slow-growing creature that can reach 7 meters in length. Conservationists celebrated the finds but warned of ongoing vulnerabilities. Historical abundance gave way to scarcity through overfishing and habitat degradation.
The largetooth sawfish, classified as critically endangered by the IUCN, embodies 400 million years of evolution now hanging by a thread. Artisanal fishers like Martín Maceda, who had fished since childhood, recalled seeing the species only in photographs until 2014. Such rediscoveries spurred projects like eDNA sampling in Tumbes to map potential habitats. Yet, each sighting underscored the precarious balance between survival and human pressures.
From Rostrum to Razor-Sharp Weapons
Cockfighting arenas across Peru transform rostral teeth into prized spurs, splitting one tooth to yield up to four pairs for roosters’ legs. This 500-year-old tradition thrives legally in coliseum-like venues, where sawfish-derived espuelas command respect for their sharpness. Fishers once targeted the species deliberately for these high-value parts, a practice that decimated local stocks. A 2016-2017 survey of 49 Peruvian cockfighters revealed over half had purchased such spurs in the previous five years. Demand persisted into recent years despite shifts toward plastic alternatives.
Victor Negrete, president of the Worldwide Gamefowl Breeders Association, described eliminating animal spurs as a “long, delicate process.” Some leagues banned them around 2000 to curb severe rooster injuries and promote fairness. Still, the allure endures among traditionalists, linking coastal economies to bloody spectacles.
Illegal Markets Defy Bans
Peru’s Ministry of Production prohibited sawfish capture, transport, and sale in early 2020, yet informal online platforms like Facebook and Mercado Libre advertise spurs from northern Peru, Brazil, or Central America. Prices reached peaks in the 1990s but declined amid scarcity, with pairs sometimes fetching $250. A single rostrum, bearing up to two dozen teeth, could generate thousands of dollars – tempting for fishers amid falling catches. Enforcement lags, as inspectors struggle to identify modified parts.
Conservationist Kerstin Forsberg of Planeta Océano noted that while habitat loss and bycatch dominate threats, trade must end. Economic desperation in Tumbes amplifies risks, as one fisher admitted sawfish parts would sell instantly despite laws.
Collaborative Push for Change
NGOs like Planeta Océano and ecOceánica partner with scientists and cockfighting leaders for outreach, including arena presentations and school programs in northern communities. Workshops educate fishers on safe releases, while eDNA tools probe for hidden populations. Surveys blend ancestral knowledge with modern science to protect mangroves.
- 2014: First modern sighting sparks advocacy.
- 2015: Multiple Tumbes encounters prompt release protocols.
- 2020: National ban on sawfish parts.
- 2023: Ongoing eDNA and fisher interviews.
- Recent: Cockfighter surveys show waning demand.
Mariano Cabanillas-Torpoco, a sawfish expert, emphasized that cockfighters view spur bans as a chance to elevate their sport through conservation.
Key Takeaways
- Largetooth sawfish clings to existence in northern Peru after decades of absence.
- Cockfighting spurs, though illegal, sustain a niche demand threatening recovery.
- Education and bans offer hope, blending tradition with wildlife protection.
As Peru balances heritage and biodiversity, the largetooth sawfish tests whether cultural evolution can outpace extinction’s shadow. Will collaborative efforts sever the deadly link in time? Share your thoughts in the comments.
