Alligators invade the mall after the river overflows: viral videos

Captured Paraguayan firefighters captured seven alligators between one and a half and two meters high in front of a shopping center, in the middle of a storm that flooded the lagoon Itá, located in the urban area of ​​this city, 30 km from the capital, Asunción (southeast). The incredible videos of animals walking freely on the street went viral.

Neighbors terrified by the presence of reptiles immediately called the rescuers who, after a few hours, managed to catch them on Wednesday.

The animals escaped as a result of the collapse of a retaining wall due to heavy rainfall overflowing the lake, Francisco Plaón, a spokesman for the Itá Fire Department, told reporters.

“What is happening is that the lagoon of the park overflowed due to the amount of rain that fell and the alligators (alligators) went out in search of a refuge on the dry surface to rest,” Plato told AFP.

Several of them arrived at the store door, according to photos and videos that witnesses shared on social networks.

“Fortunately, it happened at night. Alligators are an attraction of the city park, but they are a danger when such phenomena occur that are not in our control,” said Diego Caputo, secretary of the Itá City Hall.

The rainy season did not stop in Paraguay last week, leaving extensive damage to homes, streets and roads, as well as power outages. The Meteorological Department warned that more precipitation is expected until Sunday.

The civilian organization called “Save the Itá Lagoon” revealed in a statement that there is an overpopulation of alligators in place. “Over time, it can be a danger to people. Due to lack of food, they could attack them,” he warned, advising “not to touch them.”

In turn, firefighters asked on his Twitter account “to announce the hotline if anyone notices another alligator on public roads.”

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