Another huge freshwater stingray landed on the Maeklong River in Thailand

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.