Sumida Aquarium’s Unique Face-Showing Festival with Garden Eels

At the beginning of 2020, few could have predicted that our social interactions would soon consist almost entirely of online video calls. However, it turns out that one of the most exciting encounters might involve brief video chats with socially anxious eels.

Since the onset of the novel coronavirus pandemic, many animal caretakers have taken to treating their charges to special virtual tours, much to the delight of online audiences. From penguins in Chicago to puppies in Atlanta, countless animals have brought joy to those stressed while social distancing at home.

Garden Eels: Fascinating Creatures of the Sea

However, the tables have turned at the Sumida Aquarium in Tokyo. This aquarium now requires virtual visitors to help assist with animal care in an unconventional manner. In their natural habitat, garden eels thrive in large colonies in warm waters around the globe, particularly in the Indo-Pacific and Caribbean regions. The charming, polka-dotted eels often burrow into the sand at the bottom of their habitats, occasionally peeking out at passersby.

Virtual Human Interaction for Eels

If garden eels feel comfortable, they will stretch out, showcasing their long spotted bodies, which can sometimes be confused by divers for plant tendrils from the ocean floor. However, the disturbance created by the absence of regular human interaction has caused the eels to shy away from their caretakers. Therefore, the aquarium is organizing a “Face-Showing Festival” from May 3rd to May 5th, aimed at re-socializing the eels through virtual interactions.

During this unique festival, five people at a time can converse with the eels from 10 am to 2 pm, using designated email addresses for video calling. This method allows virtual visitors to connect with the eels while helping them become accustomed to human faces and voices.

Encouraging Visitor Participation

Visitors are encouraged to engage playfully by shaking their heads and getting close to the camera; however, they are advised to “refrain from crying loudly.” After each five-minute interaction, another caller will have the opportunity to converse with the garden eels. Additionally, virtual visitors can tune into feeding time twice a day, helping to enhance the eels’ experience.

Ultimately, if this Face Showing initiative proves successful, the eels will be less apprehensive when visitors return, happily coexisting alongside humans once again. In the meantime, caretakers will gain greater insights into the eels’ emotional well-being, addressing any social anxiety they may be experiencing.

Therefore, if you’re feeling isolated or your friends are suffering from Zoom fatigue, consider reaching out to a Japanese garden eel. They might not be great conversationalists, but sometimes it helps just to connect with a fellow anxious companion.