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Boaters Warned Of "Flying" Fish

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) — Florida wildlife officials are warning boaters on the Suwannee River to watch our for flying fish.

Gulf sturgeon are returning to the Suwannee River. The fish are famous for leaping more than 7 feet above the water, and people boating on the north Florida river have been injured by the large, airborne sturgeon.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says the river is running at higher water levels, though, and the fish don't seem to be jumping as frequently as they did in previous years. Officials say the sturgeon could resume their acrobatics if river levels drop.

According to the commission, no boaters were injured by flying sturgeon last year. Biologists aren't sure why sturgeon jump, but they assure boaters that the fish aren't trying to attack people.

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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