When the Georgia Aquarium recently shared a Facebook video of their annual manta ray wellness exams, it caught our attention here at Manta Ray Advocates. Like many viewers, we were fascinated by the care and precision of checking up on Blue, Tallulah, and Nandi – the aquarium’s resident manta rays.
Let’s look at how their dedicated animal care team pulls off these remarkable health checks.
Why Annual Check-ups Matter
Just like humans need regular check-ups to stay healthy, manta rays in human care need routine medical attention. These annual wellness exams give the veterinary team important information about each manta’s health status and development.
The bloodwork they collect can reveal important details: are the mantas getting proper nutrition? Is their immune system working well? Are there any signs of stress or underlying health issues that need attention? Blood samples can even show hormone levels, which help track reproductive health and maturity.
Ultrasound imaging lets the team peek inside without any invasive procedures. They can check internal organs’ functioning, monitor heart health, and even track reproductive development in mature rays. It’s particularly valuable because manta rays, like all cartilaginous fish, don’t have hard bones that would appear on regular X-rays.
Last comes the measuring: by tracking their growth, the team can ensure each manta is developing properly. Unexpected weight changes could signal health issues that need attention. Plus, having accurate size measurements helps them adjust feeding amounts and medication if needed.
All this information comes together to create a complete picture of each manta’s health – and it helps the aquarium team provide the best possible care throughout the year. It also allows to collect invaluable information about the health of manta rays that is not available from mantas in the wild.
Getting Manta Rays in the Stretcher
One of the coolest parts of these check-ups? The manta rays actually volunteer for them.
Instead of trying to catch or chase the mantas, the care team simply uses a green food ladle as a signal. Through training and conditioning, the mantas have learned that this ladle means it’s time for their check-up, and they willingly swim into a unique stretcher for their exam.
These incredible animals have learned to recognize a simple signal and choose to participate in their healthcare. It’s a beautiful example of the trust that can develop between marine animals and their caregivers.
Keeping Them Breathing: a Clever Solution
Here’s where things get interesting. Manta rays face a unique challenge during these exams. In the ocean, they’re constantly swimming forward to push water over their gills – it’s how they breathe. But during a medical exam, they need to stay still. So how does the Georgia Aquarium team handle this?
They’ve devised an innovative solution: while the manta rests in the stretcher, they use a pump system to keep fresh, oxygen-rich water flowing over its gills. It’s like setting up a temporary breathing system, ensuring the manta stays comfortable throughout the examination.
The Check-up: Just Like Going to the Doctor
Once the manta ray is comfortable and breathing well, the veterinary team approaches in a small boat to start the wellness exam. If you’ve ever had an annual physical, some parts might sound familiar: they draw blood from the base of the manta’s tail, make an ultrasound, and measure and weigh the manta.
When the exam is finished, there’s no rushing. The team gives the manta ray plenty of time and space to swim out of the stretcher at their own pace. This careful approach helps maintain the trust between the animals and their caretakers – essential for making sure future check-ups go just as smoothly.
Now that you know what goes into a manta ray wellness exam, it’s time to see it happen in real life. Watch the TikTok video below for an up-close look at Blue’s annual check-up.
@georgiaaquarium Another day, another manta ray exam 💙 #georgiaaquarium #veterinarian #mantaray ♬ Reflections on 52nd – AGM3
Our Take on Aquarium Care
As a team that spends our days introducing people to manta rays in their natural habitat in Hawaii, we often get asked what we think about mantas in aquariums. Here’s our take: while we believe manta rays belong in the ocean, we also see the valuable role of places like the Georgia Aquarium in marine education.
Not everyone can fly to Hawaii to see mantas in their natural habitat. Well-run aquariums allow people to learn about these amazing animals up close, and help advance our understanding of manta ray health and behavior by studying them up close.
Read more about the aquariums that keep manta rays worldwide.
While we continue to provide sustainable, educational manta ray experiences along the coast of Kona, we understand how facilities like the Georgia Aquarium complement these efforts through their dedication to education and research. Their commitment to excellent care and willingness to share their practices help more people understand and empathize with these extraordinary creatures.
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