Invasive Carp Dominate Mississippi River Fish Die-Off in Missouri and Illinois

Hundreds of dead fish have washed up along stretches of the Mississippi River in Missouri and Illinois. Wildlife officials report that around 90% of the fish found dead at one Missouri site were invasive silver and bighead carp. The die-off is believed to have been triggered by a combination of warm temperatures, low water levels, and reduced oxygen in the river. Despite the scale of the event, authorities suggest the die-off may actually benefit the local ecosystem by reducing the population of these invasive species.