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Aquarium staff retrieved the animal and confirmed it was a Pacific snake-eel, making it the third member of its species to ever be found on an Oregon beach. The species is normally native to waters much further south, officials said.
Experts said the Pacific snake-eels might be venturing further north due to the changing climate.
The animal rescued from the beach was determined to be too weak for immediate release and is being rehabilitated at the aquarium until it is healthy enough to return to the wild.