Visitors of vacation resorts bitten by piranhas

In the past two weeks several people have been bitten by piranhas at two vacation resorts that are located in the Para District.

Sources told Times of Suriname that the attacks took place at Ayo and Carolina. Para District Commissioner Armand Jurel van Para pointed out that these two vacation resorts have not requested a permit because the proprietors claim that these are private resorts. DC Jurel explained that the DC’s Office is currently busy with the certification of vacation resorts that have been inspected and given the two thumbs up. He also explained that his office and the local administrators are also busy processing the permit requests of various vacation resorts. Whenever the owners or proprietors of vacation resorts request a permit, they are given a list of requirements and conditions for running a vacation resort. The DC made it clear that officials will not only focus their attention on the public vacation resorts but that they will also visit the private vacation resorts to inform the owners of the mandatory obligations. One of the mandatory requirements is that they must cordon off the swimming area with a net to keep certain animals or fish out. According to DC Jurel, a beach party was held during the weekend at Ayo. The beach party was closed by officials in the afternoon because the organization did not have a permit. “It is mandatory for organizers to request a permit for such events,” said DC Jurel.

According to www.smithsonianmag.com, piranhas are known for their razorsharp teeth and relentless bite. The word piranha literally translates to “tooth fish” in the Brazilian language Tupí. A 2007 study linked noise, splashing, and spilling food, fish, or blood into the river with three instances of piranha attacks on humans in Suriname.