Large eel slithers onto Waikato highway

A photo posted to the NZTA Waikato-Bay of Plenty Twitter page shows the large creature in a big container. Photo / via Twitter

A large eel had to be moved to safety after finding its way onto a busy Hamilton highway.

The NZ Transport Agency said the fish - an endangered longfin eel - was found on the Hamilton section of the Waikato Expressway.

A photo posted to the NZTA Waikato-Bay of Plenty Twitter page shows the large creature in a big container.

The caption starts off with: "Surprize catch of the day!''

A person can be seen reaching in to pick up the eel - which is about the same size as the person's arms.

The circumstances of the incident are not yet known.

Surprize catch of the day! Endangered large longfin eel found on the Hamilton section of the Waikato Expressway https://t.co/JcdBmlgI43 pic.twitter.com/P93we4Hbg4

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Waikato/BoP (@WakaKotahiWaiBP) October 7, 2016

The New Zealand longfin eel is the largest freshwater eel species in the country.

The female species are said to be much larger than their male counterparts and can grow to 73 to 156cm and a length of 115cm.