Durban — Two thorntail ray pups which were born in the Open Ocean exhibit at uShaka Sea World are now swimming in the ocean.
The pups were released on Friday morning.
The South African Association for Marine Biological Research’s (Saambr) Ann Kunz said the release of the two pups marks the 72nd and 73rd thorntail ray pups born at, and released from uShaka Sea World since 2012.
“They are miniature replicas of the adults with the exception of a small, white round end to their barb which prevents the mother from being injured during the birthing process,” Kunz said.
She said that thorntail rays are one of the larger ray species in the world and individuals can grow up to 200kg.
“Our adults range between 90-130kg. They are present along the KZN coast in summer and often congregate in sheltered areas off the Durban beachfront, which could be where they reproduce,” Kunz said.
Daily News