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Rare 400-lb Spotted Eagle Ray Jumped Into A Boat To Give Birth
She recalled the whole experience as “scary” but also “beautiful.”
A family of three’s catch of the day while fishing at a tournament in Alabama was something they’ll tell in family gatherings for years to come.
April Jones was competing at the 2022 Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo near Dauphin Island, Alabama. April was shocked when a ray jumped and hit her shoulder as they were reeling in catches just off the waters of the Sand Island Lighthouse.
It was a 5-foot wide rare Spotted Eagle Ray, pregnant with four pups that added her weight up to 400 pounds.
Jones, who shared pictures of the gorgeous sea creature on Facebook, wrote, “This thing was beautiful, but 400+ lbs jumping in a boat and hitting you doesn’t feel good.”
She added that she had to be taken to the ER as the rays come with venomous tails slathered in poison, which could be dangerous if Jones was stung by one. And even the sheer weight was enough to leave her body sore. Hence is why it was an “absolutely scary” experience for her.
“We think the reason she was jumping it due to a remora being stuck to her belly since it was also in the boat.”
“This Mama had 4 babies that didn’t make it due to being born early since she was stressed, and we didn’t know until she was out of the boat. Mama made it with the help of 4 grown men.”
The premature babies died, leaving only the terrified mom they tried to save. The family kept pouring seawater on her as they drove back to the shore, and fortunately, she survived. Jones added, “We are devastated the babies did not survive, but there was nothing we could have done.”
The ray, which was 400 pounds, was too heavy for the boat and weighed the boat down, causing water to fill it.
They reached Dauphin Island Sea Lab and met Brian Jones, the curator of Alabama Aquarium. The curator explained on Fox News, “It’s not uncommon for wild animals to release their young when they feel their life is in danger. This is surely an adaptation that gives the parents a better chance at producing offspring and passing along their genes in the population.”
The near-endangered species now has four more specimens that could be used at the lab to research and learn about the beautiful sea creature. The mom has since been released back into the ocean, while Jones returns home with a shoulder strain and sore collar bone.
