In February,, almost 3,000 eels were found dead in the Low Burn Stream, a tributary of the Mataura River. Environment Southland began an investigation which revealed a poison the waterway. Environment Southland said the still an active investigation, showed the eels did not die of natural causes.
Evidence suggests the deaths were caused by the acute impact of a contaminant in the waterway, rather than disease.
Investigations still on-going, showed other fish species were killed and the stream.
Footnote: The “Stuff” article can be seen at https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/350214464/investigation-mass-southland-eel-deaths-uncovers-contaminant
