European eels have declined by over 95% and face multiple welfare threats throughout their extraordinary life cycle. Conservation action is urgently needed to protect this remarkable species.
European eels face welfare impacts across their complex life cycle. Silver eels migrating through hydroelectric turbines suffer blade strikes and pressure changes causing injury and death. River barriers fragment habitat forcing unnatural behavior. The invasive swim bladder parasite Anguillicola crassus impairs the diving ability needed for the Sargasso migration. Overfishing removes individuals before reproductive contribution. Illegal glass eel trade captures juveniles before they reach the river systems. The species decline from abundant to critically endangered within a few decades represents one of the most severe conservation welfare failures in European freshwater ecology.