{
  "id": 7576997,
  "title": "Piranha claim at Klau Dam under verification, public urged not to panic",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/piranha-claim-at-klau-dam-under-verification-public-urged-not-to-panic",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-15T15:35:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/09/1533639/piranha-claim-klau-dam-under-verification-public-urged-not-panic"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Pahang Department of Fisheries (DOF) has sent a video and photographs of a fish allegedly a red-bellied piranha, discovered at Klau Dam in Raub, to the Fisheries Research Institute (IPP) in Negri Sembilan for species verification. Fisheries Director-General Datuk Adnan Hussain announced that the verification process is under way, with monitoring coordinated with the local inland fisheries community and other agencies. To prevent panic, Adnan urged the public not to jump to conclusions until the species is confirmed. The video and photos were shared after a follow-up investigation by the state fisheries department into the social media claims of piranhas at the dam, which had alarmed residents. Initially, the fish was caught on August 26 using a cast net by a local resident, with a single piranha caught and the others being Lampam Sungai, Lampam Jawa, Zebra Tilapia, and Peacock Bass. The caught fish died after being landed and was disposed of in the bushes. Upon inspection, no other similar fish catches were reported in the area. Pahang Fisheries Director Roslan Abu Hassan, along with officials from Raub District, Land Office, police, and Mukim Gali 2's Penghulu, visited the spot today to inspect and consult with locals who witnessed the discovery.",
  "summary": "PUTRAJAYA: The Pahang Department of Fisheries (DOF) has sent a video recording and photographs of a fish alleged to be a red‑bellied piranha found at the Klau Dam in Raub to the Fisheries Research Institute (IPP) in Glami Lemi, Negri Sembilan, for species verification.",
  "key_points": [
    "Pahang DOF verifies red-bellied piranha claim at Klau Dam",
    "Public urged not to panic until species confirmed",
    "Fish caught Aug 26, identified as piranha among others"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}