Deadly piranhas discovered in YORKSHIRE lake with fears humans could be attacked
By Antony Thrower - The Daily Star
TWO fearsome duck-eating piranhas have been discovered in a British lake, leading to fears humans could be attacked next.
The pair of razor-toothed fish - usually found in the Amazon River alongside anaconda snakes and electric eels - have so far been found at Martinwells Lake near Doncaster, South Yorks.
Their sudden appearance comes as fearful residents have noticed a sharp decline in the number of ducks, ducklings and native fish at the beauty spot.
And some people believe pet dogs or even small children crawling in the water could be next on the carnivore’s menu.
Full-time mum Toni Hooper from Doncaster, saw the fish when out walking with her family.
The 32-year-old said: “When we realised what it was it sent shivers down my spine.
“This is a popular spot amongst families, dog walkers and fishermen. It’s always busy here.
“There’s a play park nearby, so you get kids here paddling in the water, teenagers will go swimming here. You wouldn’t catch me going in the water.
“We came here to feed the ducks and on Sunday we noticed there was only one duck and two ducklings, I’m concerned about where the wildlife is.”
Other people out near the lake added they believe the man-eating fish are dumped pets.
Mum-of-three Lisa Holmes added: “We presume that it was a pet that someone no longer wanted and they have gone and dumped it in the lake.
“We couldn’t believe that we’d found a piranha fish. It’s not the kind of thing you expect to find in Doncaster.”
Experts say attacks usually take place when the fish are stressed such as when water levels are lower during the dry season and food is scarce.
Chillingly for parents splashing has been known to attract piranha, meaning any children playing or trying to cool down could be a target.
Attacks on humans normally only result in minor injuries but they are occasionally more serious and can be fatal.
In 2011, a drunk 18-year-old man was killed in Bolivia by a shoal of piranha while a five-year-old Brazilian girl died in 2016 when her grandmother’s boat capsized during a family holiday in their waters.
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Originally Posted by Hal-9000
