Turkish scientists discover largest stingray recorded

IZMIR, Turkey

Turkish scientists discovered the largest common stingray of its kind ever recorded off the coast of Turkey’s western Izmir province on Wednesday.

Weighing 450 kilograms and having a wingspan of 2.21 meters, the stingray gave birth to eight of its offspring after it was taken aboard a boat in the coastal Cesme district, Ilker Aydin, lecturer at Ege University’s Faculty of Aquaculture, told Anadolu Agency.

Aydin said the giant stingray was netted to 100 meters depth and that his crew experienced difficulties carrying it aboard the boat because of its massive size.

After lifting the stingray’s tail to determine its gender, Aydin said his team realized it was giving birth.

"The length of the largest dasyatis pastinaca which was seen before this one was 1.41 meters," he said.

"It was a big surprise for us. It was fascinating to witness its birth and help her," he added.

Aydin said his team released the stingray and its eight babies back into the water after measuring its size.