The Brantevik Eel (Swedish: Branteviksålen) (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 freezer.[4] SVT's nature show Mitt i naturen extracted the eel from the well at one point, but put it back.[5][6]

References

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  1. ^ "Den 150-åriga brunnsålen i Brantevik finns på riktigt". Ystads Allehanda. Archived from the original on 4 December 2012. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  2. ^ "Världens äldsta ål död". Ystadsallehanda. Archived from the original on 10 August 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  3. ^ "Världens äldsta ål är död". Göteborgs Posten. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  4. ^ "Försvunnet ålhuvud hittat – i frysen". Svenska Dagbladet. 12 August 2014. Archived from the original on 24 October 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  5. ^ "Åldrig ål åter åtrådd av tv". Ystadsallehanda. Archived from the original on 18 October 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  6. ^ "Ålens evangelium". Sydsvenskan. Archived from the original on 25 November 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2014.