Eel rescued from doorstep in Plymouth

The RSPCA has released it into a nearby estuary

Author: Simon McleanPublished 12th Nov 2022

The RSPCA has rescued an eel - after it was found on a doorstep in Plymouth.

The homeowner called the charity after finding the fish, and put it in a paddling pool until they arrived.

RSPCA inspector Sarah Morris, who rescued the fish for the animal welfare charity, said: “This was not your usual type of animal rescue call. The eel had been found by the back door of a property in the city.

“At first I thought it must be a slow worm because of the location but from speaking to the caller it became clear it really was an eel.

“On arrival, I went to the back garden and found a pink child's paddling pool where the finder had kindly placed the eel until I arrived.

“In 24 years of being an Inspector, I’ve never had a call about an eel out of water! After seeking advice from the team at RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre, I removed the eel and put it in a small fish tank and transported it safely to the nearest estuary where the eel was released.

"How it got there is a mystery but the most likely reason would have been that it was dropped there by a heron or other such bird.”

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.