A young girl watches Nandi the manta ray swim in her exhibit at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by Georgia Aquarium.
The Manta Ray is one of the largest species of ray in the entire world but yet, it’s endangered of becoming extinct due to over fishing, by-catch in drift, and set nets. I am writing a post about manta rays because a commerce site called Alibaba.com is known to sell boots, and wallets made from manta ray leather. This is completely inexcusable because many countries have recognized the protection of these beautiful animals through international bodies such as the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals, and the Endangered Species Act. Just recently, the manta ray was listed under this convention and this requires all member countries to take action to ensure that the rays and their habitats are protected. Currently, manta rays a listed as vulnerable to extinction by the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. Yet despite this protection, Alibaba.com manages to sell products that are made from these gentle giants.
You can petition Alibaba.com to stop selling ray-based products at http://act.oceana.org/letter/l-manta/?akid=2314.428302.pFyWms&rd=1&source=mailing&t=3&utm_campaign=rays&utm_medium=mailing&utm_source=enews
Learn more about manta rays at: http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/animalguide/oceanvoyagerbuiltbythehomedepot/mantaray.aspx
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/gallery/descript/mantaray/mantaray.html
"For in the end we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught." --Baba Dioum.....This is true with manta rays and other troubled sea life.
And thank you for speaking out for manta rays.
~Jenna~
The Winter Dolphin Chronicles 