It all started with a sign.
Not a sign from above -- an actual sign! You should know, I’m the type that reads all of the signs on all the displays at all of the museums. Or, at least I try to, until my family drags me away!
On this day, we were at the sturgeon petting tank at the Promedica Museum of Natural History at the Toledo Zoo. Side note: if you haven’t been, you must go. It’s a fantastic museum!
My three kids were happily reaching their arms (and most of their sleeves) into the tank full of cold water and odd-looking fish.
Next to the tank was a sign reading, “Lake Sturgeon, Acipenser fulvescens. The oldest and largest fish in the Great Lakes, this species has a lifespan of 50 to 150 years, can grow to be more than six feet long and weigh up to 200 lbs. It is also one of the most threatened species in the Great Lakes.”
Wait a minute -- did that say 150 years old and six feet long??? I’ve lived in Michigan my whole life. Why have I never seen one of these fish?
The next sign explained how the Toledo Zoo was working to help save the sturgeon in Ohio. It made me wonder, was the same work being done in Michigan? Oh, was it!
On the drive home, I began reading up on the many efforts to save sturgeon from the brink of extinction. Before we even pulled into our driveway, the idea for this special was born.
Sturgeon aren’t just old -- they’re ancient. They were swimming around when dinosaurs walked the earth, and they survived when the dinosaurs could not. But they nearly met their match in a much smaller foe -- humans.
Now, in the ultimate twist of fate, humans are helping save the sturgeon. It’s no easy task. We traveled across the state to meet the people on the front lines of this fight. They are passionate about sturgeon, and their enthusiasm is contagious!
We visited Black Lake where scientists were counting the young sturgeon. How do you count the fish in a lake? We’ll show you!
We discovered children are playing a big role in these conservation efforts too. If you’re a teacher, check out the Sturgeon in the Classroom program.
We also visited one of the most successful sturgeon recovery efforts -- happening right in our own backyard. (Not literally, but you know what I mean!)
Everyone who has worked on this project has fallen hook, line, and sinker for sturgeon. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist!)
They may not be cute and cuddly, but sturgeon are ours, and I promise, once you get to know them a little better -- you’ll want to keep them around too!
Click here to watch the full special, “Saving Our Sturgeon.”
Want to see a sturgeon in person? Visit the Belle Isle Aquarium. Visit taajatucker.com to get free sturgeon coloring pages.
I also highly recommend Sturgeon Day at Milliken State Park. It’s an annual celebration of everything sturgeon hosted on the first Saturday in May by the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge and the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy.
There’s also Sturgeon Fest. It’s held at the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse Park, Port Huron. Save the date for Saturday, June 7, 2025.