@fishlikemike: These salmon are literally falling apart while they’re still alive! As salmon reach the end of their lives, their bodies begin to deteriorate. During spawning, they stop feeding and rely on stored fat and muscle for energy, essentially consuming their own bodies to reproduce. Their immune systems weaken, their skin begins to break down, and eventually they die. But their story doesn’t end there! Their decomposing bodies return essential nutrients to the river, supporting insects, wildlife, and even the next generation of salmon. One of nature’s most incredible life cycles!