Dozens of stingrays appear overnight in Kaohsiung pond｜Taiwan News

[00:00:00]Locals in Kaohsiung were shocked after dozens of stingrays appeared overnight at a pond next to the famous Chung Cheng Lake. The fish arrived so suddenly and in such large numbers that it is suspected they were dumped by a breeder.

[00:00:15]Kaohsiung says the stingrays will be removed and that the culprit will be fined up to 150,000 NT if found. Let's hear more.

[00:00:28]>> I saw them early in the morning. There were so many. I never saw any before, even when the water level was much lower.

[00:00:38]It must have been a breeder who dumped them here at night. They used to be very expensive, but now there's no sales at all. The water is stagnant. If you release them here, they'll die because there's no oxygen.

[00:00:52]I assume they were raised in a farm or artificially bred and then abandoned.

[00:00:57]They have undergone a long period of adaptation and evolution, so they've become true freshwater fish. The relevant authorities are handling the removal and the subsequent investigation.

[00:01:11]If it is found that someone released the animals, they could face a fine of up to 150,000 NT.

[00:01:19]Experts believe the fish may be hybrids of pearl stingrays and tricolor stingrays, which can live up to a 15 years in captivity, much longer than wild stingrays, which typically survive between 6 and 9 years. Their size can range from 35 to 90 cm and more importantly, they have a large appetite.

[00:01:42]Since they prey on native fish species, their presence could disrupt the local ecosystem. Authorities are continuing to monitor water quality. If the stingrays are found to have been illegally released, officials will track down those responsible and impose fines.