The first giant manta ray born in captivity died after only five days as a result of what aquarium officials are calling an abusive father.
After birth, the female manta was constantly chased and run into by its father. The cause of death is thought to be from injuries sustained after the baby manta was pitched into a wall of the aquarium.
The birth, just five days earlier, was an international news story not only because the ray was the first to be born in captivity, but also because the pregnancy had lasted about a year, causing much anticipation for the birth.
The baby manta came into the world measuring more than 6 feet across its pectoral fins (or wings). The manta was born at the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Japan and its birth was even aired on Japanese television.