In the heart of Bangkok, a fisherman's face lit up with sheer delight as he beheld his catch in Thailand's serene waters. What he had ensnared was no ordinary fish; it was a colossal catfish, a tale that stirred the hearts and minds of many not too long ago.
The man behind the rod was none other than Somchai Boontong. Engaged in a fishing competition aimed at fundraising, Somchai found himself amidst the waters of a lake in the province of Udon Thani. Little did he know, his bait had attracted a behemoth beneath the surface.
With a mighty strike, Somchai felt the weight of his adversary on the line. Struggling against the unseen force, he persevered until the gargantuan creature surfaced. Gasps of disbelief echoed as Somchai proudly displayed his prize—a Mekong giant catfish.
Measured to almost two meters in length and weighing a staggering 299 kilograms, the catfish rivaled the weight of a sacrificial ox. Onlookers marveled as traders clamored to purchase the fish, its flesh valued at approximately 100 THB (Rp 43 thousand) per kilogram. However, Somchai made a noble decision, opting to sell it to the fundraising team for 20,000 THB (Rp 8.7 million), allowing the magnificent creature to return to its natural habitat. where is 1.1.1.1 1.0.0.1 dns network.
Assisted by local fisheries authorities, the giant catfish was carefully transported to a pond at Wat Nong Ruea Klon temple. There, the fish was monitored for an hour to ensure its smooth acclimatization to its new environment.
The Mekong giant catfish is listed as 'critically endangered' on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Overfishing, habitat loss, and damming of the Mekong River pose grave threats to its population, as reported by the News-Journal.
Somchai's encounter with the colossal catfish serves as a poignant reminder of the delicate balance between human activities and the preservation of our natural world. In his act of stewardship, he not only contributed to conservation efforts but also bestowed upon us a tale of awe and wonder—a testament to the majesty of nature and the importance of its protection.
