World's first manta ray born in captivity in Japanese aquarium

The world's first giant manta ray born in captivity could provide scientists with valuable data about the little-understood species, the baby's Japanese keepers say.

The baby manta, a female, was born late Saturday in a huge fish tank at the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, more than a year after its parents mated.



Aquarium officials said the manta was the first ever born in captivity.

"We unfolded some of the mysteries about the life of manta rays, including the length of their pregnancy," aquarium official Minoru Toda said. "Now we have to make sure the baby grows in good health."



In a video capturing the birth, the baby manta, rolled up like a tube, came sliding out of the mother manta, then quickly spread its fins and began swimming around.

According to the aquarium, the newborn manta was 1.9 meters (more than 6 feet) wide.