Eel rescued from doorstep in Plymouth
The RSPCA has released it into a nearby estuary
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.”