Anatoki Eel, Golden Bay, New Zealand
The glistening longfin eel slides its head up out of the water and looks at me expectantly. I scrape a bit of ground beef onto my stick and hold it out for him. He rasps the meat off and gulps it down. While he has a snack, I pet him on his velvety back, like people have been doing since 1914.
Young Maggi McCallum was only 14 years old when she began feeding the eels ground beef and the European dessert blancmange. She continued feeding them all her life and thousands of visitors still do today.
I used to think eels were disgusting, but that all changed when I met my first eel in Northland several years ago. They can live for 80 + years and grow to over 6 feet (2 metres) long and more than 60 lbs (30 kg). All I am saying, is give eels a chance. You might like them- and not just in your sushi.
In additon to the Intrepid101 Eel video, an instructional video at the Eel Museum will show you the proper way to feed the eels. They don’t mention that you should watch out for the resident cat, who will gladly make off with your ground beef.
Five Week Old Kunekune Piglets, Golden Bay, New Zealand
You access the Anatoki Eel feeding area via Bencarri Nature Park and Cafe, essentially a petting zoo. If you are lucky, you’ll be able to pet New Zealand kunekune piglets. At five weeks old, these miniature porkers are completely adorable. They got most of my animal feed, although I saved a bit for the sheep, fawns, goats, donkeys, Highland calf, rabbits, guinea pigs, llamas and even a couple of nibbles for the evil looking snake-necked emus.
Entry is $12 for Adults, $6 for children with a bag of animal food and a small container of eel food included in the price. Additional information available at the Bencarri website.
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Wow–you definitely taught me something new. I had no idea eels ate cow. I do love them in my sushi, but now I have a new respect for them.
They rarely eat cow in the wild…but probably eat more cow in the wild than blancmange.