An enormous manta ray was caught in a fishing net this week off Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, resulting in a frantic effort to free the docile creature.
The accompanying footage was shared Thursday by Gustavo Neves, who is shown describing the scene in Portuguese in a swipe-through post on social media.
The manta ray, hauled ashore at Arraial do Cabo, is first shown in a sprawling net among captured fish.
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Neves’ translated description reads: "A giant ray came into the fisherman's net — and was returned to the sea without any injuries.
"A scene that those who were here will never forget. Arraial do Cabo and its surprises stay forever in memory."
The type of manta ray was not clear, but
light coloration around its head is similar to that of the Atlantic manta ray, which occurs from the northeastern U.S. to southeastern Brazil.
Manta rays are referred to as gentle giants because they’re harmless to humans and considered to be intelligent.
A general description from the Manta Trust: "Manta rays are giants of their kind, with the largest individuals reaching seven meters in width and weighing up to two tons. Despite their colossal presence, mantas are gentle creatures."
It was not clear how long the manta ray was in the net, or whether it sustained injuries during its capture and release. Click here for a second post showing more of the release.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Giant manta ray caught in net off Brazil, sparking rescue effort
