Jeff Corwin World record Giant freshwater stingray Thailand – 06 03 2015
A visit to Thailand to film the Ocean Mysteries series of documentaries for ABC channel in USA saw wildlife conservationist Jeff Corwin visiting the Maeklong River to study Giant freshwater stingrays. Accompanied by the VRMC team from Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok under the direction of Dr Nantarika Chansue, Jeff Corwin assisted in the ongoing Giant freshwater stingray research program.
With only a few days to catch and tag Giant freshwater stingrays the Fishsiam team commenced fishing on the Maeklong River.
In the course of two full days several Giant freshwater stingrays were caught and tagged with weights ranging between an estimated 30-190kg. On the second day of stingray fishing at the Maeklong River the Fishsiam team hooked a monster Giant freshwater stingray.
After an epic battle lasted well over an hour the Giant freshwater stingray was finally brought over the net and transported to the riverside.
The Giant freshwater stingray was observed to be a recapture of a fish previously tagged with Dr Zeb Hogan and Dr Chansue.
After checking the tag number the Giant freshwater stingray was found to have grown almost 0.4m in a period of six years since its last capture.
With an incredible wingspan of 2.4m and a length of 14ft from tip to tail the Giant freshwater stingray was estimated to weigh between 300-350kg.
The Giant freshwater stingray was given a full scientific examination in which it was found to be holding several unborn young.
With the potential world record Giant freshwater stingray obviously in the later stages of pregnancy the Giant freshwater stingray was not weighed.
After a short period for recovery and filming the Giant freshwater stingray was released back into the Maeklong River.
To see the amazing video of the Giant freshwater stingray recapture with Jeff Corwin tune into ABC channels Ocean Mysteries series in the coming months
