A giant manta ray with several fishing hooks was found by divers off Australia’s west coast.
Jake Wilton, an underwater photographer, said the three-meter wide manta ray came toward him. Closer, Wilton said he noticed several fishing hooks have been caught below its eye, and it appeared like the poor animal was asking for help to remove them.
“I’m often guiding snorkelers in the area and it’s as if she recognized me and was trusting me to help her,” Wilton said in a statement on Monday. “She got closer and closer and then started unfurling to present the eye to me.”
They managed to take a video footage of it, showing Wilton repeatedly diving toward the animal to remove the hooks, before the manta ray went off.
“She never moved. I’m sure that manta knew that Jake was trying to get the hooks out,” biologist and fellow diver Monty Hall said.
Manta rays are known to be harmless to humans, because unlike stingrays, they do not have a sharp barb. They are also considered as one of the most intelligent underwater creatures in the world.
Related stories:
– Stingray found dead its stomach contains book, bottle, camera, and cigarettes
– LOOK: Police officer in Bukidnon makes wheelchair for stray dog with disability
– Endangered fish for sale: What can we do to save them from extinction?
