Giant Catfish Released into Elbe After Czech Reservoir Drained

Hundreds of massive catfish were relocated to the Elbe River following the draining of a Czech reservoir due to safety concerns.

The Czech reservoir in Horní Podluží was drained because of a leaking dam, prompting a large-scale fish rescue operation.
The reservoir had not been fished for 40 years, allowing fish to grow to impressive sizes under ideal conditions.
Hundreds of catfish, some over two meters long, were relocated to the Elbe River, potentially reaching Germany soon.
While the relocation aims to preserve the fish, the catfish are reportedly contaminated with pollutants, making them inedible.
In Germany, fishing for sport without consumption is illegal due to animal welfare laws, complicating recreational fishing of these catfish.