Taguig LGU issues warning after alligator gar spotted in a barangay
At A Glance
- Described as a fish with a long body and a head resembling an alligator, the alligator gar is a predator that eats other fish.
The Taguig City government issued a warning on June 6 following the sighting of an alligator gar, a freshwater fish with sharp teeth, in a barangay.
The Taguig Lake and River Management Office (LRMO) confirmed the presence of the invasive species, which was first seen on May 8 in an "estero" in Barangay Napindan.
“Isa itong invasive species na hindi likas sa ating mga ilog at maaaring makasama sa mga isda at kapaligiran (It is an invasive species that is not native to our rivers and can be harmful to fish and the environment),” the city government announced.
Described as a fish with a long body and a head resembling an alligator, the alligator gar is a predator that eats other fish.
The city government also warned that its eggs are poisonous and harmful to both humans and animals.
Residents are advised not to catch, handle, or feed the alligator gar to prevent harm.
According to an article on the California Academy of Sciences website, an alligator gar can live up to 50 years.