Alligators invade mall after river floods: viral videos

Paraguayan volunteer firefighters taken prisoner seven alligators between five and six feet high outside a shopping center, in the midst of a storm that flowed over the Itá lagoon, located in the urban area of ​​this city, 30 km from the capital Asunción (southeast). The incredible videos of the animals roaming the street freely went viral.

Neighbors terrified of the reptiles’ presence immediately called rescue workers who, after hours, managed to capture them on Wednesday.

The animals had escaped as a result of the collapse of a retaining wall as a result of the intense rainfall that flooded the lake, Francisco Plaón, spokesman for the Itá fire department, told reporters.

“What happens is that the lagoon of the park was flooded by the amount of rain that fell and the alligators (alligators) came out to take refuge on the dry surface to rest,” explains Plato in statements to AFP. .

Several of them reached the door of the shops, according to photos and videos that the witnesses distributed on social networks.

“Fortunately it happened at night. The alligators are an attraction of the city park, but they pose a danger when such phenomena that are beyond our control occur,” said Diego Caputo, secretary of the Mayor’s Office of Itá.

The rainy season has not stopped in Paraguay since last week, causing numerous damage to houses, streets and roads, as well as power outages. The Meteorology Department warned that more rain will fall until Sunday.

The civil society called “Save the Itá lagoon” revealed in a statement that there is an overpopulation of alligators in the place. “Over time, it can pose a danger to people. Lack of food could make them attack them,” he warned, after recommending “not to touch them.”

The fire brigade, in turn, asked on its Twitter account to “alert the emergency line if anyone sees another alligator on the public road”.

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