Shortfinned eel. Photo: Stephen Moore.

Photo of the week: Shortfinned eels

Department of Conservation —  06/05/2015

Shortfinned eels—whether evoking ick or awe—are undoubtedly amazing creatures that deserve today’s Photo of the Week profile.

Shortfinned eel. Photo: Stephen Moore.

Earlier this week around 50 shortfinned eels were found dead or dying in a stormwater drain in the Tauranga district.

The eels showed visible signs of burns, which could have been caused by chemicals washed into the stormwater system.

It’s a shame that so many of these taonga were killed in such a painful way. Hopefully it’ll remind us all to be more aware of the consequences of polluting stormwater drains.

The drains around residential areas are only for rain water. Anything that is washed into these drains can have serious effects on our native species.

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2 responses to Photo of the week: Shortfinned eels

  1. 
    Phillip 14/05/2015 at 8:32 am

    Protecting our environment is very important

    the EPU should investigate this issue

  2. 
    Ben Jones 12/05/2015 at 1:22 am

    These eels seem intimidating. But we must protect them. All living species are important to the world’s ecology.