Itá /
Paraguayan volunteer firefighters captured 07:00 alligators between one and a half and two meters outside a mall, In the middle of a storm that overflowed the Itá lagoon, located in the urban radius of this city, to 30 km of the capital, Asuncio’n (south-east). The amazing videos of animals walking free on the street went viral.
Neighbors terrified by the presence of the reptiles immediately called rescuers who, after several hours, managed to catch them on Wednesday.
The animals had escaped as a result of the collapse of a retaining wall due to heavy rainfall that overflowed the lake, Francisco Plató, a spokesman for the Itá Fire Brigade, told reporters.
“What is happening is that the lagoon in the park was overflowed by the amount of rain that fell and the alligators (alligators) went out seeking refuge on the dry surface to rest,” Plato told AFP.
???? Due to the intense rain that occurred during last night and the dawn of today, the lagoon of Itá overflowed which generated that several yakarés left to take a walk by the city.
???? Firefighters have already moved them back to the pond. #AmericaTvPy #Viral pic.twitter.com/2QRd9wTQ0W
– America Paraguay ???????? ???? (@AmericaTVPy) January 27, 2021
Several of them reached the door of the shops, according to photos and videos that spread the testimonies on social media.
“Luckily it happened at night. The alligators are a city park attraction but they are a danger when phenomena like this occur that escape our control,” said Diego Caputo, secretary of the Intendance (City Council) of Itá .
The rainy season has not stopped in Paraguay since last week leaving numerous damage to homes, streets and routes, as well as power outages. The Meteorological Directorate has warned that more rainfall is expected until Sunday.
#Viral After yesterday’s heavy rain, the alligators ??????????? from the Lagoon of Itá they left to enjoy by the streets of the city. The intense rain caused the lagoon to overflow and facilitated the exit of the inhabitants of the place, who later were rescued by the firemen # 680AM pic.twitter.com/qJZeyxqYZA
– Caritas Radio – UC (@ 680CARITAS) January 27, 2021
The civilian organization called “Save the Itá Lagoon,” revealed in a statement that there is an overpopulation of alligators on the site. “Over time it can pose a danger to people. For lack of food they could attack,” he warned, after recommending “not touching them.”
The Fire Department in turn asked on its Twitter account to “warn the emergency line if anyone spots another alligator on the public road.”
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