CONCORD, N.C. -- SEA LIFE Aquarium in Concord announced its newest additions Wednesday, three southern stingray pups, which were born at the aquarium recently.
The stingray pups are at SEA LIFE Concord through late September, when they will go north to SEA LIFE Minneapolis, where they will permanently live.
The stingray pups' birth and adventure to Minnesota is part of SEA LIFE's "Breed, Rescue and Protect" conservation program. Over the past few years, over 60 species living in SEA LIFE aquariums came from internal breeding programs. SEA LIFE says they aim to increase this number to 135 species through its 50 breeding programs around the world.
"Through our 'Breed, Rescue and Protect' program, we hope to inspire others to join us in celebrating and protecting our marine life for future generations," said Dalia Goldgor, General Manager at SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord. "Watching the ray pups grow this month will be a special treat for our visitors."
Native to the Western Atlantic region, southern stingrays are bottom-dwelling creatures that are distinguished from other ray species by their flat, diamond-shaped bodies. Male stingrays typically reach a maximum size of about three feet wide, while their larger female counterparts grow to a disc width of five feet.
