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Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Revenge of The Fish


  • Carnivorous fish attack: 70 bathers bitten by piranha in Argentina river

     

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    A carnivorous fish attack is responsible for 70 bathers needing medical attention on Wednesday. A school of meat-eating fish attacked dozens of swimmers in an Argentine river, leaving several with missing toes and fingers, according to a Dec. 26 AZCentral news report. The piranha attack is under investigation, but thankfully, no lives were lost.
    Watch video above : "Piranhas Have the Most Powerful Bite"
    The attack from carnivorous fish happened Christmas morning off the coast near Rosario. And as one hospital worker described, the fish attack was "very aggressive."
    The holiday brought out thousands of swimmers to the Parana River in order to escape temperatures that reached the century mark.
    Suddenly, swimmers began scurrying back to shore alerting others that a large school of fish was on the attack. Witnesses shared reports of swimmers exiting the water bleeding from wounds.
    Initially, some thought they were targets of a viscous shark attack. However, Director of lifeguards Federico Cornier said bite marks on victims were likely due to the palometas fish, a cousin of the feared and storied piranha.
    All told, about 70 people were treated for wounds from the carnivorous fish school attack. Some had lacerations, areas of their bodies flesh gouged out, and whole or partially-bitten off fingers and toes.
    Piranhas are native to South America and typically swim in schools. They are known to attack other fish, small animals, plants, and humans on occasions. Contrary to folklore, they are not vicious man-eating predators. In fact, as Cosmos wrote, the tiny fish with razor-sharp teeth are wary of humans and only attack if they feel threatened.
    Previously it was thought piranhas shoaled as it enabled them to form a cooperative hunting group. However we have found that it is primarily a defensive behavior, and quite a complex one," said biologist Anne Magurran.
    On what caused the carnivorous fish attack, authorities say they believe it was due to some debris left behind by fisherman. It likely attracted the fish and swimmers were in the wrong place at the wrong time.
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