Another huge freshwater stingray landed on the Maeklong River in Thailand

26/02/2009 23:03:30

Is this the world's largest stingray?

Courtesy Rick Humphreys of Fishsiam.

February 2009. Dr. Ian Welch, a freshwater biologist, had been visiting Thailand in conjunction with the National Geographic Society to help with a stingray tagging programme, when he landed the fish on the Maeklong River. Dr Welch and the Fishsiam team, who are also helping with the research,  landed this extraordinary fish on 28th January on the Maeklong River whilst filming a documentary with the Dr. Zeb Hogan and the National Geographic Society about "Megafishes". The fish was estimated by scientists present at the capture to weigh an extraordinary 265+ kilograms.

The fish was observed to be pregnant and was released soon after capture.

The expedition also involved a research project given official approval by the Thai authorities to tag Giant freshwater stingray and monitor stingray populations in both the Ban Pakong and Maeklong Rivers.

Further Information  About the Giant Freshwater Stingray

Dr Terry Bertozi, of the Evolutionary Biology Unit of the South Australian Museum in Adelaide, Australia, contacted Wildlife Extra concerning these amazing stingrays, and is now working with FishSiam on a small research project to determine whether these are the same species of stingray found in the rivers of Northern Australia.

Dr Bertozi writes:-

I believe that the scientific name currently attributed to that stingray is Himantura chaophraya. We apparently have that species in northern Australia but there is some disagreement on whether it is the same or a related species. I am working on a genetic study of the relationships between major stingray groups from around the world and was wondering if it would be possible to get a genetic sample from one of these rays (when another is caught)to add to my study. I already have samples from three rivers in northern Australia so it should be an easy matter to finally determine whether they are the same species.