REEL BIG FISH: Giant catfish in India turn to preying on humans
IMAGES: These images show large species of freshwater catfish from around the world: the Mekong giant catfish (Pangasianodon gigas) of Asia (top) and Wels catfish (Silurus glanis) of Europe (bottom). The Mekong giant catfish in this image weighed in at 646 pounds (293 kilograms), and the Wels catfish tipped the scales at 187 pounds (85 kilograms). The Mekong giant catfish is critically endangered, but the Wels catfish isn’t considered endangered or threatened. The Wels catfish has been blamed for attacking swans, but “there are no recorded attacks on humans.” The goonch (Bagarius sp.), another species of large freshwater catfish (not pictured, but you can find images here) of India, is being blamed for preying on humans. Learn more about the conservation of giant freshwater fish here, because they are increasingly becoming endangered.
BREAK
Growing up in the south and being a freshwater fisherman, large catfish are both folklore and reality to me. In the south, some large catfish can be found in secluded farm ponds or around dams, and stories abound of divers observing huge catfish, particularly blue catfish, around dams across the south.
However, folklore seems to have evolved into an extreme reality in India where large catfish might be preying on humans. Some type of creature, in the sacred Hindu Great Kali River, has allegedly pulled three teenagers under its waters. Locals believe that a type of catfish called the goonch has grown large enough, after feeding on partially burnt corpses from funeral pyres, to prey on living humans.
Five, a television channel in the United Kingdom, is airing a special documentary about the man-eating catfish of the Great Kali River called “Nature Shock: Flesh Eating River Monster.” The documentary will be hosted by biologist Jeremy Wade, and “is due to screen on October 14 at 8.00pm on Five.” From the Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom:
Locals rumours have held for years that a mysterious monster lurks in the water.
But they think it has moved on from scavenging to targeting live bathers who swim in the Great Kali, which flows along the India-Nepal border.
The extraordinary creature has been investigated by biologist Jeremy Wade for a TV documentary to be shown on Five.
He said: “The locals have told me of a theory that this monster has grown extra large on a diet of partially burnt corpses. It has perhaps got this taste for flesh by feasting on remains of funeral pyres.
“There will be a few freak individuals that grow bigger than the other ones and if you throw in extra food, they will grow even bigger.”
. . .
In 2007 an 18-year-old Nepali disappeared in the river, dragged down by something described as like an “elongated pig”.
However, the first live victim of a goonch was thought to have been a 17-year-old Nepalese boy in April 1988.
Witnesses said he was cooling himself in the river when something suddenly pulled him below the surface.
Three months later a young boy was dragged underwater in front of his horrified father.
Mekong giant catfish image found here.
Wels catfish image found here.
On the Net: The Megafishes Project
On the Net: Village youths land giant fish – Prize of four-hour struggle: 86-kg Gangetic goonch
Related news: 226-pound catfish recently caught in Spain. You can read more about this large catch here.
More related news (updated 31 May 2009): REEL BIG FISH: 102-pound blue catfish caught in Virginia, may be new state record
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This man was camping alone and became lost. After three days without food he finally seized, killed, and ate an American Bald Eagle. Almost immediately, the park ranger found the man and arrested him for killing an endangered species. At trial the man pleaded, “Your honor – I was lost, alone, starving and about to die. I didn’t want to eat an endangered species, but MY survival depended upon it.” “I understand,” said the judge, “Not guilty!” After the trial the judge asked the man, “By the way, how did the eagles taste?” “Delicious,” replied the man, “sort of like a cross between whooping crane and spotted owl.”
Please make conservation for this species. There are very rare they swim to north of Mekong River for breeding the peole around that are hunting them every year. The population trndency is low. Please think they are the living life same as us.
wow..very big fish
So big!
Too bad they are endangered, what could be the causes for their decline? overfishing of juveniles?, reduction of spawning areas and natural habitat?
hope they fare better in the future
Hey, this is scary. Can the aythorities in India do something to confirm whetter thet really feeding on human being?
Researchers are working to determine if the catfish are feeding on humans, but the locals seem convinced.
There are 3 giant freshwater catfish discussed here, and 1 is blamed for attacks on people, and 1 species, the Mekong giant catfish (Pangasianodon gigas, is critically endangered because of development activities, pollution, overfishing, upstream damming, and water quality issues–or the lack of environmental regulation.
On the Net: Giant Catfish Critically Endangered, Group Says: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/11/1118_031118_giantcatfish.html
dang that fish is big
this is nuts that catfish is so big im so hi so it looks even bigger! GREAT CATCH FELLAS!
there is a fricken bigger 1
Greetings,
My name is Lusine Khachatryan. I work for Hoff Productions, a TV Production co. in the US and I am interested in reproduction and licensing of one of your stories to be used in a TV Documentary. I wonder if this is something you can help me with. Can you let me know whether it is okay to use the article?
Here is the story I’d like to use: REEL BIG FISH: Giant catfish in India turn to preying on humans
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Many thanks,
Lusine