In this special Talk of the Thames episode for World Eel Day, presenter Chloe Russell is joined by Andrew Kerr, Chairman of the Sustainable Eel Group, to uncover one of the most extraordinary and mysterious stories in the natural world — the life cycle and survival of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla).

🧭 From diving deeper than nuclear submarines to travelling 7,000km without eating, eels have a life journey unlike any other.

🐍 But with their population down by over 90%, this critically endangered species is now at the heart of a major conservation fight.

Andrew and Chloe discuss:

• Why the European eel is vanishing — and what makes its lifecycle so bizarre
• The shocking global scale of illegal eel trafficking
• The real reason we can’t breed eels in labs
• How communities, classrooms, and volunteers are helping rebuild the eel’s future
• What we can do — as individuals — to make a difference

💬 Plus: why saving the eel might also save our rivers, wetlands, and water systems.

🌍 More eel content is coming!

Although World Eel Day falls on Friday 16th May, we’ll be sharing more stories, facts, and interviews beyond this week — follow us Thames Estuary Partnership and stay tuned.

🎧 Want more? Check out our earlier episode from World Fish Migration Day about the Thames Catchment Community Eels Project, where six amazing organisations came together to reconnect rivers and communities for eel recovery.

🔗 Useful links:

• sustainableeelgroup.org
• thamesestuarypartnership.org
• Thames Catchment Community Eels Project

🎙️ Subscribe to Talk of the Thames for more inspiring stories from the river’s edge.

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Produced & Presented by Chloe Russell

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