Janna Clinton’s ordinary afternoon turned into an unforgettable experience when her 11-year-old son, Charlie, made a startling discovery while fishing in their backyard pond in Oklahoma. The young angler couldn’t contain his excitement as he pulled out a fish unlike anything they had ever seen before.
In an interview with NPR, Janna described the unusual encounter. “He was screaming, ‘Oh my God, mom! Oh my God!’” she recalled. Initially dismissing it as drama, she soon realized that Charlie’s catch was far from ordinary.
The fish in question was a pacu, a close relative of the notorious piranha, known for its large and human-like teeth that have often raised concerns among swimmers. The pacu is native to South America, making its appearance in an Oklahoma pond an astonishing event.
Charlie’s catch gained attention when the Clintons shared a photo of the fish on their neighborhood Facebook page. The sighting eventually caught the eye of game wardens, who later revealed that the pacu was an invasive species and should not have been released back into the water.
Undeterred by the mistake, Charlie has been on a mission to catch the elusive fish once again. Janna shared how her son has been diligently spending his time at the pond, eager for another chance to reel in the pacu.
And if he succeeds, it seems Charlie will be rewarded handsomely for his determination. A neighbor has offered to cook and eat the pacu, but the family has different plans in mind. “If he catches it again, we’re going to get it mounted for him,” Janna said with pride. “I think that’s an exceptional prize and he deserves it.”
Game wardens believe that the pacu was once a pet that outgrew its confines and was released into the wild. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation expressed their disapproval, reminding pet owners that such actions can have devastating effects on native wildlife.
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Author: lifestories25.com
