Brantevik Eel Explained

The Brantevik Eel (before 1859 – before 7 August 2014), also known as Åle, was a European eel (Anguilla anguilla) that is believed to have lived for more than 150 years.[1]

The eel was released into a well in the town of Brantevik, Sweden in 1859 by an eight-year-old boy, Samuel Nilsson. On 7 August 2014, the eel was reported to have died and was sent to an expert to determine the eel's actual age.[2] [3]

The eel's head, presumed lost, was eventually recovered in a refrigerator.[4] SVT's nature show Mitt i naturen extracted the eel from the well at one point, but put it back.[5] [6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Den 150-åriga brunnsålen i Brantevik finns på riktigt. Ystads Allehanda. 11 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20121204224219/http://www.ystadsallehanda.se/simrishamn/article736137/Den-150-aringriga-brunnsaringlen-i-Brantevik-finns-paring-riktigt.html. 4 December 2012. dead.
  2. Web site: Världens äldsta ål död. Ystadsallehanda. 11 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140810050646/http://www.ystadsallehanda.se/simrishamn/article2215504/Varldens-aldsta-al-dod.html. 10 August 2014. dead.
  3. Web site: Världens äldsta ål är död. Göteborgs Posten. 11 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140808095718/http://www.gp.se/nyheter/sverige/1.2451945-varldens-aldsta-al-ar-dod. 8 August 2014. dead.
  4. News: Försvunnet ålhuvud hittat – i frysen. Svenska Dagbladet. 12 August 2014. 11 October 2014. 24 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141024001115/http://www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/forsvunnet-alhuvud-hittat-i-frysen_3815940.svd. live.
  5. Web site: Åldrig ål åter åtrådd av tv. Ystadsallehanda. 11 October 2014. 18 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141018091955/http://www.ystadsallehanda.se/simrishamn/article774328/Aringldrig-aringl-aringter-aringtraringdd-av-tv.html. dead.
  6. Web site: Ålens evangelium. Sydsvenskan. 11 October 2014. 25 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141125153109/http://www.sydsvenskan.se/kultur--nojen/alens-evangelium/. dead.