Bavarian Lake's 2-Meter Catfish Bites Swimmers, Shot by Police

In Bavaria's Brombachsee, a 2-meter, 90-kilogram catfish attacked five swimmers near a floating island, prompting police to shoot the fish to ensure public safety. Such aggressive behavior in wels catfish is rare, often linked to territorial defense during nesting. This incident has sparked discussions on swimmer safety and the behavior of giant catfish in European lakes.
The catfish's attacks led to temporary closure of the swimming area, affecting local tourism and raising concerns about the presence of large predatory fish in recreational waters. Authorities are now considering measures to monitor and manage catfish populations to prevent future incidents. This event has also drawn attention to previous reports of giant catfish exhibiting unusual behaviors, such as attacking birds and even small mammals.
The 2-meter, 90-kilogram catfish's aggressive behavior in Brombachsee is a rare occurrence, highlighting the need for further study on the interactions between large freshwater fish and humans.