Bistrița-Năsăud authorities investigate poaching of 800kg European eel

Authorities in Bistrița-Năsăud County, Romania, have launched a criminal investigation following the discovery of a decapitated European eel weighing over 800 kilograms. The carcass was found in a forested area near the village of Nagyilva.

The large male eel had been a frequent presence in the Ilva Valley area since late September, appearing in the settlements of Ilva, Nagyilva, and Majdány. Although the animal had recently shown signs of illness, including excessive salivation, local authorities and veterinary specialists had previously treated it, and it appeared to have recovered.

Investigators are currently looking into suspicions of poaching and trophy hunting. Laboratory tests are underway to determine whether the eel was shot, poisoned, or if the decapitation occurred after its death. Stelian Dolha, the prefect of Bistrița-Năsăud, described the incident as a barbaric act that damages the reputation of the county.