Flesh-eating piranhas have been spotted swimming in the flooded streets of a Brazilian city. Videos show piranhas swimming in floodwater in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, with some dead piranhas found on dry land. The fish were primarily seen in Lake Guaiba, which overflowed, but some also made their way into the flooded streets. The heavy rain in Brazil over the past few weeks has resulted in approximately 150 deaths and half a million people being displaced. An expert explained that the presence of piranhas in Guaiba was due to the transposition of waters from the Uruguay and Jacuí rivers into the lake. The invasion of the city’s flooded streets by the fish has raised concerns among fishermen as piranhas attack other fish, disrupting the natural food chain and reducing their potential catch.
Red piranhas, which are not native to Rio Grande do Sul, have been increasing in numbers over the past three years. Videos and photos posted on social media show dead piranhas on ledges and swimming in the flooded streets of Porto Alegre. The expansion of river basins in recent years is believed to have brought the piranhas to the city. Biologists have stated that while the fish are carnivorous and can bite, their bites are not fatal. This incident is reminiscent of crocodiles being seen swimming down the streets of Queensland, Australia in December after heavy flooding.
