This giant manta ray washed up on the beach in a fishing net. Everyone was standing around

[catbyte]

taking pictures until one guy took charge 💙

Link to tweet

All it takes is one person to act.

[tblue37]

1. K&R. nt

[Ligyron]

12. For a minute there I didn't think they bothered to get the net off.

It was tangled around the tail and hiding the animal's barbed weapon like the one which killed Irwin. That was brave human whoever cut that net off.

Well done humans!

[tblue37]

15. Manta & sting rays are different. Manta rays are bigger & don't have the barbed stinger. nt

[Ligyron]

19. Wow, I didn't know that, thanks.

During dives I saw lots of Eagle rays flying by like a flock of underwater birds one time and would see some burred in the sand w just there eyes visible. Never saw a Manta darn it.

[tblue37]

20. BTW, the reason Irwin died was that he took that stinger directly to his heart. nt

[Ligyron]

22. I know and what are the chances of being hit exactly there?

Not a huge target and think it would probably need to go through the sternum. Little lower or off to the side and it's survivable. I think the next day or soon thereafter some old guy and a kid out in a small boat, down around Miami I think it was, had a ray jump into the boat and nailed the old boy in the chest but he survived. Rays will do that once it awhile , fly out of the water for a good ways sometimes, I've seen it.

That was a sad thing to happen to such a vibrant, full of life and well loved personality like Irwin.

[iscooterliberally]

2. I got to see a Manta up close when I was snorkeling in the Bahamas years ago.

It was huge. Most of my friends went scuba diving down on a ship wreck. I didn't have a diving card, so all I could do was snorkel. If they had known what I was about to encounter, they all would have went snorkeling too. Manta Rays are an amazing sight to behold.

[dewsgirl]

4. They are aren't they? I love snorkeling, i used to go almost

every day.

[dewsgirl]

3. I'm so happy someone acted. Yesterday there was

]a pic floating around of a child maybe 3 or 4, at a zoo. A camel(?) had the kids whole head in his mouth, what were the parents doing? Taking pics of course. I would freak out, even if it wasn't my child. I love animals with a deep passion, but sometimes accidents happen.
[link:https://imgur.com/a/Z200DAz|

[Pacifist Patriot]

5. Indeed. Steve Irwin would agree with you.

I'm not saying that to make light of anyone, but if it can happen to a professional who works with wild animals it can darn well happen to anyone. A child in a camel's mouth?! Holy negligence, batman!

[dewsgirl]

7. I forgot how to post, i think this is the link.

[link:https://imgur.com/a/Z200DAz|

[democratisphere]

6. Thankful for the one guy and others that saved this animal's life.

Beautiful job!

[Demovictory9]

8. wonderful

[lunatica]

9. I was really hesitant to click on this thread because of

the headline, but I trusted you catbyte, and you didn’t disappoint! Watching the giant manta flap those beautiful fins as it swam away made me choke up! They added very good music to it too.

[catbyte]

10. I will never steer you wrong!

[lunatica]

11. I truly believe you!

[magicarpet]

16. Always a happy ending to catbyte's video postings of the little critter world.

[magicarpet]

18. .

For you,

[calimary]

25. You've never steered any of us wrong, catbyte.

[TygrBright]

13. Much gratitude for humans who clean up the messes made by other humans. n/t

[pazzyanne]

14. He can't save them all, but he saved that one!

Blessings on that man, and the ones who finally helped him return the manta ray to the sea.

[tblue37]

17. Since they are endangered & reproduce slowly, that's important! nt

[oldsoftie]

21. Wow, that thing is BIG!! Hope they took that netting to the TRASH

[Karadeniz]

23. That was inspiring! I have to say that if that had been an American beach, I think everyone

Would have pitched in sooner. Remember Floridians helping beached manatees, even a shark? Naturally, no whale, dolphin or seal is ignored. I think they're speaking German.

[TexasBushwhacker]

24. They can get u to 7 meters across! N/t

[pansypoo53219]

26. dang.