Posted on 02/24/2006 12:02:44 PM PST by SwinneySwitch
Are twisted individuals introducing Piranah into border river?
Are Piranha fish being maliciously and quietly stocked in the Rio Grande by twisted individuals and groups hoping to slow the entry of illegal aliens into the United States?
Have jokes about Piranahs (Scientific Name: Pygocentrus nattereri) being put into the Rio Grande gone too far? Escape San Antonio is investigating the possibility that this insane practice has started or is about to start. Readers report hearing suggestions on stocking the Rio Grande with the flesh eating import. Some say that the images of men being devoured in a matter of minutes as we have all seen in old Tarzan movies are greatly exaggerated. Still, the vision of desperate people being attacked by schools of Piranhas is not a pleasant one.
Escape San Antonio is in contact with experts on the viability of the Piranah in Texas. Are they being introduced into the Rio Grand? Escape San Antonio supports border control but will gladly assist in the identifying of anyone actively transferring the deadly fish or in illegally providing them to groups planning to do so.
The Piranah is not legally sold in Texas but may be available on the black market.
Initial calls to the Texas Parks and Wildlife office in Austin have not produced any evidence that they have investigated reports of attempts to introduce the fish in the Rio Grand.
We talked to Gabriel Mendoza, the manager of Alamo Aquatics. Mendoza says his company will not even discuss the possibility of providing the Piranah to customers. He indicated that sale of the fish is not legal in most or all southern states but can be imported from northern suppliers. Escape San Antonio wonders why the fish can be sold in the United States at all since getting it to Texas is a simple matter. Piranahs can be purchased over the Internet.Don't think so? Google "piranah fish" and see what happens. We hope to see violators imprisoned when caught. No doubt their "shark" lawyers will get them off though.
Screwing up the ecology of the Rio Grand is a more likely result than slowing the swimmers.
Dinsdale?
We did have a pacu scare near Del Rio last summer!
Toothy invader causes piranha scare [Texas pacu]
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1467086/posts
Why stop at piranah? Go for broke with the sharks w/laser beams on their heads.
Sounds like Escape San Antonio is making this up in hopes that they can cause it to happen.
Oh oh oh... and the sharks from the movie Deep Blue.
Screwing up the ecology of the Rio Grand is a more likely result than slowing the swimmers.
All that foot traffic and drug running trucks don't do that anyway? I wouldn't support this, but a few urban legend stories might slow some traffic down.
If I were crossing a river stocked with Piranha, I think I could muster my personal best in terms of swimming speed.
Cheap alternative to a wall. Even the threat would have an effect I'm sure.
I don't have a problem with this.
How about throwing in a giant hair dryer or toaster occasionally? Never mind, that might kill the Piranha.
I believe that is "frickin" laser beams on their heads.
good point - I am pretty sure you are right. The details are critical.
How about gators?
Gators with frickin' laser beams, or sans FLBs?
Piranah Ping!
Please FReepmail me if you want on or off this South Texas/Mexico ping list.
I remember in the late 60's and/or early '70's a pet store inside of North Star Mall that had a piranha. I dont recall if it was for sell or not.
In many places one can wade across across the Rio Grande without even getting your knees wet - especially during the summer season..... I dont think piranhas would be taken seriously in those spots.
Ugly little mother : )
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