More than a dozen eels could be seen slithering around the tarmac at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) on July 7, 2024, surprising ramp agents.
The eels arrived in Vancouver from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) as a cargo shipment with Air Canada Cargo. However, a box containing the live eels accidentally spilled open during unloading, causing the slippery creatures to escape.
The slimy incident was captured on video and uploaded to social media. In the footage the eels can be seen writhing around on the tarmac, just under a belt unloading conveyor.
The box where the eels came from can be seen sitting on top of the conveyor, with more eels escaping and sliding down the belt and onto the ground. Gasps and screams from ramp agents can be heard.
Air Canada Cargo said the eels were collected and repackaged and it is in contact with the customer regarding the incident.
Operations were not affected by the eel spill.