Crane lift for eel as 'love congers all' in Macduff
Rip the conger eel will be released from Macduff Marine Aquarium
An operation to release a 6ft conger eel to the wild so he can find love is due to get underway.
Rip will leave Macduff Marine Aquarium in Moray to swim to the Atlantic.
Rip has become restless, leading staff to recognise typical signs meaning time had come for a 2,000-mile migration to the Atlantic.
The eels are known to congregate in deep water, where they spawn before dying. A crane will be needed for Operation Rip Tide on Monday afternoon.
Rip has been at the aquarium since 2004.
'Be happy'
The aim is to use a large bag to catch the conger eel in and a crane to hoist him out, lowering him into sea, where divers will open the bag.
Claire Matthews, the aquarium manager, said: "We have everything in place for operation Rip Tide - divers, a lifting bag, crane and a high tide.
"We just hope that Rip realises we're helping him and is cooperative.
"We hope Rip makes it to the Azores, but of course the sad part of the story is that he will die after it all - but at least he'll be happy."
In 2001, Chippie the conger eel was released at the aquarium for the same journey in Operation Amour.
