Try Not to Worry Too Much About the Piranha in the Lake

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries just wants to know if there are any more
By Liz MacGahan,  Newser Staff
Posted May 30, 2021 5:10 PM CDT
Updated May 31, 2021 12:05 AM CDT
Try Not to Worry Too Much About the Piranha in the Lake
This photo provided by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries shows a Red-bellied Piranha. The LDWF says a piranha was found in a lake at Louisiana State University, and agents are looking in case there are more.   (The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries via AP)

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries doesn’t want you to freak out or anything, but somebody found a piranha in a lake. Definitely “use caution,” the LDWF said in a press release. It’s definitely illegal to sell them or have one as a pet anywhere in Louisiana, too. It’s just that piranhas are horror movie staples for the excellent reason that they have razor sharp teeth and can deliver a bite that has, in the words of the National Zoo website, “incredible force and shearing ability.”

The lone red piranha was found in a lake near Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, and wildlife officials say it was probably a pet that someone released. Maybe the former pet owner saw the teeth? But just to be sure, the LDWF is checking carefully for any more piranhas, CNN reports. They ask that anyone who may have caught a piranha in the lake to please let them know. And also? Be cool. The press releases notes that while piranhas are scary to look at and terrifying in movies, they mainly scavenge for “dead or dying” prey—and not full-size humans.
(More weird news stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X