It is widely believed that eels can cross land between water bodies however little is understood as to how or why.

This rare footage captured by Tim Olley shows a medium-sized NZ Longfin eel taking advantage of a flood event to migrate upstream across what is normally dry land.

Much is known and documented about juvenile eel migration, but less so for adults.

Note how the eel is using burst swimming between long rest periods as they do in natural settings.

Less vegetation and an unnatural stream bed means that eels have to work harder when migrating in such situations.

Also, due to a lack of cover, eels are very susceptible to predation from birds at these times, as we have witnessed.

Do older shortfin eels have this upstream migratory urge like longfins?

Enjoy:)

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