A woman was surprised when she thought she saw dead fish floating in a well-known park in Yorkshire, only to discover a different truth. Ellie Cosgrove was taking a stroll with her family at Cawthorne Park in Barnsley in December when she noticed what she believed were lifeless fish scattered near a pond.

Alarmed by her finding, she promptly sent an email to the park authorities upon returning home, expressing her concerns about the situation. Ellie, 27, mentioned in her email that she and her family frequently visited the park but had recently observed something worrying.

She pointed out, “Near the pond at the Fairy Gardens, there are numerous dead fish lying on the ground. We have seen this multiple times, and it doesn’t seem to be addressed.”

Initially mistaken for leaves, she emphasized that upon closer inspection, the features of the fish became apparent. She requested urgent action, highlighting the unsuitability of the situation, especially with many children frequenting the park.

Ellie, a resident of Barnsley, later found out that the “fish” were actually situated in a restricted area due to safety precautions related to an old bridge. Concerned for the well-being of visitors and animals, she reached out to the park authorities, fearing the fish had perished due to contaminated water.

However, Ellie was taken aback when she learned that the supposed deceased fish were actually clay sculptures as part of an art installation. The park officials clarified the misunderstanding, reassuring her that the water areas were regularly inspected to ensure safety for all visitors and wildlife.

After the mix-up, Ellie found humor in the situation, admitting that she couldn’t stop laughing upon reading the park’s response. Despite feeling embarrassed, she shared the incident with her family, joking about the office staff possibly laughing at her mistake.