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BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) — State wildlife officials have now counted more than 1,000 dead mountain whitefish in the Yellowstone River, but have yet to determine what's caused the die-off.
The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reports (http://bit.ly/2b81PIv ) that the first sightings of dead fish were reported to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks last Thursday. Staffers have since found hundreds of dead whitefish and suckers on the west and east banks of the river.
The mountain whitefish is a native species in Montana rivers.
Fish experts have pointed to warmer temperatures, decreased stream flows and river health as possible causes for the fish deaths.
FWP spokeswoman Andrea Jones says say samples from the fish have been taken to a site in Bozeman for testing. It is not yet clear when the results will be available.
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Information from: Bozeman Daily Chronicle, http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com
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