INFORMAÇÕES NA MÍDIA REFERENTES A ACIDENTES COM PIRANHAS (CHARACIFORMES, SERRASALMIDAE) NA BACIA DO ALTO RIO PARANÁ

Abstract

Accidents involving freshwater fish are frequent in Brazil, especially in riverside regions with increased fishing activity. Among the river species associated with accidents, piranhas stand out, both for the frequency of accidents and the severity of the injuries caused. This study investigated the occurrence of accidents involving piranhas in the upper Paraná River basin, with the aim of identifying the species involved, the body areas affected, the locations of occurrence, and the environmental factors associated with the incidents. Accident occurrences were analyzed based on news published in online newspapers, using expressions such as "piranha accidents" and "piranha attacks" and "upper Paraná" as search terms, filtering only those referring to the region and that actually involved piranhas. A total of 24 occurrences were recorded between 2002 and 2025, especially on beaches and public bathing areas, involving 253 injured people. The species associated with the accidents were Serrasalmus marginatus (white piranha) and Serrasalmus maculatus (yellow piranha), both known for their active defense of nests and offspring during the reproductive period, which coincides with the warmer months and periods of greatest tourist activity on the banks of rivers and reservoirs. The most affected body parts were feet and legs, and most of those injured sought medical help. The results demonstrate that the accidents are strongly related to certain environmental conditions, such as the rainy season, the presence of aquatic vegetation, and calm marginal areas, conditions very common in dammed environments. The most likely causes include the invasion of breeding areas by bathers, the consumption of food in the water, the use of bait in bathing areas, and environmental changes caused by hydroelectric reservoirs. Preventive measures, such as the removal of aquatic macrophytes and the installation of protective nets in recreational areas, constant monitoring of the environment, and awareness campaigns for tourists and local communities, can help prevent and reduce these events and promote a safer and more sustainable coexistence between the human population and the regional aquatic fauna.