A prehistoric fish has literally leapt its way to the top of the Sunshine State's wildlife danger list after a series of incidents that have left dozens of river users injured. Officials at Florida's Fish and Wildlife Commission (FFWC) have launched a campaign to warn people that a brush with an "armour plated" sturgeon - an endangered species that dates back 225 million years and can grow to 8ft and weigh 200lb - could send them to the surgeon.
Some of the victims have been knocked overboard, rendered unconscious and even left in a coma after giant Gulf sturgeon jumped out of the Suwannee River and slapped them with their rock-hard scales. Other injuries have included a fractured spine, a collapsed lung, ruptured spleen, slit throat, broken ribs and wounds that have required plastic surgery.
One woman had to have three fingers re-attached and another amputated, and two men suffered multiple injuries after they accidentally steered their boat into a bridge in an effort to avoid a leaping sturgeon.
