KUALA LUMPUR – The three giant arapaima fish that were caught during a recent operation in Masjid Tanah, Melaka recently, have died, and a post-mortem will be conducted soon to determine the cause of their deaths.
The invasive species, each weighing between 80 and 200 kilograms (kg) and measuring around 1.2 to 2.5 metres in length, were confirmed dead after being transferred to Zoo Negara, with old age suspected as a possible factor.
Melaka State Fisheries Director, Saufi Affandi Talib, said Zoo Negara had informed the department of the deaths, Sinar Harian reported.
“However, a post-mortem will be carried out this week to determine the exact cause of death of the species.
“Following the procedure, the department will carry out taxidermy to preserve the animals for educational and public awareness purposes,” he was quoted as saying on Sunday.
Operasi Menangkap Ikan Arapaima pic.twitter.com/jlis8GvRGy
— @ (@anthraxxx781) October 12, 2024
Earlier, Sinar Harian reported that five members of the Department of Fisheries Malaysia (DOF) were injured after being struck by a giant arapaima during the operation to capture the invasive species from a water reservoir beneath an abandoned building in Masjid Tanah last Friday.
The seven-hour operation, which began at 9am, was conducted by DOF Melaka in collaboration with DOF Selangor.
DOF Director General, Datuk Adnan Hussain, said the five injured officers, aged 35 to 59, were taken to Hospital Alor Gajah.
Two officers suffered breathing difficulties and swollen knees after being struck by the arapaima’s head, while three others sustained minor injuries to their knees and chest.
All the officers were treated as outpatients, except for one, who was kept for further observation before being discharged. – October 13, 2024