The National Sea Life Centre Birmingham is celebrating the arrival of three baby Blue-spotted Stingrays – a first ever for the city centre based Breed, Rescue, Protect team.
Native to the western Indian Ocean and eastern Pacific Ocean, the graceful creatures are a high risk species also known as Maskrays, and are currently being threatened by overfishing, exploitation and the destruction of coral reefs. Only breeding once a year, three successful Blue-spotted Stingrays births, from two different mums, is a huge success for The National Sea Life Centre Birmingham.
The babies weighed less than 170g, measured less than 30cm long and 16cm wide, when they were first born a few weeks ago. The miniature miracles could grow up to 47cm wide and 70cm long with a very venomous barb of up to 30cm long. They are easily distinguished by their reddish brown bodies, distinctive blue centres, and scattered black and blue spots.
The National Sea Life Centre Birmingham’s Aquarist, Naomi Bird, is perfectly placed to help the three very precious babies. A mum to be herself, it isn’t the first time her maternal instinct has been called upon at the attraction. She has already raised the penguin colony, who absolutely adore her.
Naomi commented: “Blue-spotted Stingrays face serious threat from human-induced problems. If we want them around in our children’s lifetime, it is important we act now. So we are absolutely delighted that two of our resident Blue-spotted Stingrays have bred successfully. I’d encourage everyone to take time to explore our underwater world in the heart of the city centre to learn more and support SEA LIFE’s work to protect and preserve our precious sea creatures.”
Visitors can catch a glimpse of the new arrivals as part of the attraction’s Behind the Scenes Tour experience, available to pre-book with the best value or ultimate tickets packages online or for purchase at admissions.
For further information or to pre-book tickets online before your visit please go to www.SEALIFE.co.uk/birmingham/. Reduced prices are available for tickets booked in advance.
For regular news, updates and competitions, The National Sea Life Centre Birmingham is also on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sealifebirmingham and Twitter https://twitter.com/sealifebham. You can also keep up-to-date with what Ginny the Gentoo has to say by following her on twitter at https://twitter.com/ginnygentoo.
