This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20971848

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Pike found choked on z in Netherlands Pike found choked on zander in Netherlands
(35 minutes later)
By Patrick Jackson BBC NewsBy Patrick Jackson BBC News
Anglers are scratching their heads after a pike was found dead with a zander - a fish of similar size - jammed in its mouth in the Netherlands.Anglers are scratching their heads after a pike was found dead with a zander - a fish of similar size - jammed in its mouth in the Netherlands.
Rene Spaargaren, from Almere near Amsterdam, noticed the dead fish locked together in water near his home and dragged them out with a boat hook.Rene Spaargaren, from Almere near Amsterdam, noticed the dead fish locked together in water near his home and dragged them out with a boat hook.
"It was clear that the pike had bitten off more than it could chew - or swallow, rather," he told BBC News."It was clear that the pike had bitten off more than it could chew - or swallow, rather," he told BBC News.
British angling expert Charles Jardine said the event was "really unusual".British angling expert Charles Jardine said the event was "really unusual".
"What on Earth possessed the pike to take on prey that size?" he asked. "Gluttony just killed that fish.""What on Earth possessed the pike to take on prey that size?" he asked. "Gluttony just killed that fish."
Mr Spaargaren reported his find to the Dutch nature conservation news website Natuurbericht, which published the story and one of his incredible photographs.Mr Spaargaren reported his find to the Dutch nature conservation news website Natuurbericht, which published the story and one of his incredible photographs.
'Not a python''Not a python'
He came across the fish while doing some work by his jetty this week.He came across the fish while doing some work by his jetty this week.
Having calculated roughly that the pike measured about 1m (3.2ft) long and the zander about 75cm (2ft 5in), with a combined weight of about 15 kilos (33lb), he threw them back in the water.Having calculated roughly that the pike measured about 1m (3.2ft) long and the zander about 75cm (2ft 5in), with a combined weight of about 15 kilos (33lb), he threw them back in the water.
Speaking to the BBC, Mr Jardine explained that the zander, sometimes known as the "pike-perch" because of its similarities to the two other species of fish, was an unusual choice of target for a pike.Speaking to the BBC, Mr Jardine explained that the zander, sometimes known as the "pike-perch" because of its similarities to the two other species of fish, was an unusual choice of target for a pike.
"A pike is not an alligator or a python - it will not accommodate similar-sized food," he told the BBC."A pike is not an alligator or a python - it will not accommodate similar-sized food," he told the BBC.
"Because the teeth on a pike go backward, it would have been unable to release its grip on the zander. It was a death grip for the fish.""Because the teeth on a pike go backward, it would have been unable to release its grip on the zander. It was a death grip for the fish."
Mr Jardine, who champions angling among schoolchildren for the Countryside Alliance Foundation, added: "I have seen Victorian pictures of such things, done with artistic licence, but nobody gave them much credence."Mr Jardine, who champions angling among schoolchildren for the Countryside Alliance Foundation, added: "I have seen Victorian pictures of such things, done with artistic licence, but nobody gave them much credence."
A similar phenomenon was reported in Suffolk, England, in October 2011, when a pike was found dead with a carp in its mouth.A similar phenomenon was reported in Suffolk, England, in October 2011, when a pike was found dead with a carp in its mouth.
However, that pike was more than four times the size of its prey, according to an article in the UK's Daily Mail newspaper.However, that pike was more than four times the size of its prey, according to an article in the UK's Daily Mail newspaper.