Aquarium offers bizarre solution to comfort dangerous creatures that are feeling 'lonely'

The eels at one Tokyo aquarium are so lonely, they’re in danger of forgetting humans even exist.

Workers at Japan’s Sumida Aquarium have asked the public to consider speaking to the ocean predators via video chat.

They haven’t had sufficient human contact since the aquarium closed due to social distancing restrictions in the beginning of March.

“They don’t see humans, except keepers, and they have started forgetting about humans,” the aquarium tweeted this week, according to the Guardian.

This specific type of eel has an especially delicate nature, and they’re beginning to get scared every time someone walks past the tank.

“Garden eels, in particular, disappear into the sand and hide every time the keepers pass by,” the tweet continued. “Here is an urgent request. Could you show your face to our garden eels from home?”

Aquarium workers have set up five tablets facing the tanks so people can use video chat to greet the slippery fellows.

Virtual visitors can wave or call out to the eels using an iPad or iPhone for five minutes at a time.

For more information on how to connect to the eels, visit the aquarium’s website.

If you enjoyed this story, you might also like reading about penguins visiting other animals during a rare zoo “field trip.”

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