Giant rays found in Thailand: 30-04-2008
Giant river stingrays have been found near the Thai City of Chachoengsao with one that was caught actually giving birth.
Zeb Hogan, a biologist working for National Geographic, saw the giant ray giving birth after fisherman informed him of the creature's capture.
Found in several rivers around Southeast Asia, the ray can reach over six metres in length and can weigh up to 450 kilograms.
"It's been a goal of mine for a long time to see if these stories of huge stingrays are really true," Hogan told the National Geographic.
"We know almost nothing about its abundance and habitat needs, which makes it extremely difficult to manage the species," said Hogan.
He described the rays as "incredible animals".