In the 1970s, an Italian priest sold 12,000 piranhas to Europe; 55 years later his proceeds have funded 350m bridges and an 800m airstrip

In the 1970s, Italian Jesuit priest Giovanni Gallo relocated to Marajó Island, Brazil, where he initiated a program to export 12,000 piranhas to Europe. The proceeds from these sales were directed toward local community development and infrastructure initiatives. Over the subsequent 55 years, these funds have supported the construction of 350 meters of bridges, an 800-meter airstrip, and a cemetery.