A large freshwater eel found on a Hillview Road property stuck against a rabbit-proofed fence has been rehomed in the Manuherekia River.

Irrigation Scheme manager Susan Heal said the eel would’ve been surviving on ducklings, but it wouldn’t have much longer if they didn’t move it back into deep water.

Clearing and unblocking water races and relocating freshwater species are just some of the jobs Susan does on a daily basis.

The eel was found at Fraser Jonker’s property and had been living in their dam.

The eel has been relocated to the Manuherekia River at Galloway. PHOTO: The Central App

However, Fraser rehomed the eel this week with the help of Susan and contractor Kev Krsinic, who managed to get it into a wheelie bin, which they filled with water to keep it alive, and then drove out to Galloway where it was released into the river.

“I hope people didn’t think we were dumping our rubbish,” Susan joked.

Eels can travel long distances and will follow a watercourse much like trout. 

Taking the eel away from where it was originally living in Hillview Rd are (from left) Manuherekia Irrigation Scheme manager Susan Heal, land owner Fraser Jonker and contractor Kev Krsinic. PHOTO: The Central App

When the dam overflowed onto surrounding property, the eel must have moved with it.  

New Zealand has two main types of freshwater eel species - the longfin - classified as ‘at risk - declining,’ and the shortfin which is ‘not threatened.’

Longfin eels, as well as being rare, are less able to cope with changes to their environment than their shorter-finned relative. They are heavily affected by human activities, such as pollution, the building of dams, loss of vegetation near their habitat, and overfishing.

They can grow up to 2m in length and live for up to 60 years. Those involved in its relocation are not 100 per cent sure which type of eel it is, but suspect it is a longfin.