Thousands of Mysterious Dead Eels in the Low Stream River

WELLINGTON – New Zealand is once again faced with mysterious deaths thousands of eels. Following the second incident this year, an investigation was launched by environmental authorities under the Ministry for Primary Industries.

This time, more than 3,500 baby eel carcasses were found in the freshwater river Kauritutahi in the northernmost part of the North Island.

“The exact cause is currently unknown. Authorities believe this may be caused by ‘stress’ related to the phenomenon of climate change,” reported the New Zealand Herald.

Acting Biosecurity Team Manager in Wellington, Rissa Williams, also did not rule out the possibility of this theory.

Meanwhile, representatives of river monitoring groups acted to test water samples.

In the incident last February, investigations found that the deaths of more than 2,600 eels in the Low Stream River and other areas not far from the Mataura River were caused by toxic waste after authorities found poison in the waterways.

Until now, the cause of the eel’s death is still unknown. Some possible causes being investigated by authorities include:

Water pollution: The Low Stream River is known to be polluted by industrial and household waste. It is possible that this water pollution has caused eel poisoning.

Disease: It is possible that the eel died due to certain diseases. Samples of dead eels taken in the laboratory will be tested to find out whether there are viruses or bacteria that caused the eel’s death.

Natural factors: The possibility of eel death caused by natural factors, such as changes in water temperature or lack of oxygen.

(wbs)