WATER was recently drained from a lake in Xiangmi Park in Futian District because aquatic animals released by citizens had caused a deterioration of water quality, Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported, quoting staff with the park.

Some residents recently reported that they were confused about the move to pump out water from the lake. Staff with the park said that it was because they need to place lime powder in the lake to disinfect the lake.

The lake, which used to be clean and filled with snakehead fish, became polluted after animals such as orange roughy fish and Brazilian slider turtles were released by local residents and started to reproduce unchecked.

These fish, as well as turtles and tortoises, don’t have natural predators in the lake. Their fast reproduction thus quickly ruined the lake’s ecological environment and created a natural sort of pollution.

Releasing animals into the wild is an act of kindness; however, it might also cause ecological problems for the environment and harm local wildlife, park officials said.

In order to remind people to not release animals into the lake, the park management center has placed a sign in the area. Security guards have also been patrolling around the lake to stop citizens from releasing animals, according to the report.

Xie Kaiqi with Shenzhen Mangrove Wetlands Conservation Foundation said that orange roughy and Brazilian sliders together with crocodiles and bullfrogs are widely recognized as invasive alien species, not suitable to be released directly into a wild environment.

Their release will negatively impact the local environment. Without a clear understanding of their natural habits, it could also result in the death of the animals.

Xie said that according to the national law on the protection of wild animals, organizations and individuals have the responsibility to choose suitable places when freeing animals to avoid harming the local ecological systems and should ensure that animals will not disturb local residents’ normal life.

Xie advised citizens to call Shenzhen’s wild animal rescue center for a consultation before they release any animals.

Previously, a resident was reported to have released over 100 loaches (mud fish) into Houhai Lake in Nanshan District. The 100 loaches all died overnight, creating an awful smell.

(Wang Jingli)