The Manta Trust hit an amazing milestone with the discovery of the 5000th Reef Manta Ray in the Maldives. And Manta Trust is offering one lucky supporter to name its 500th reef manta ray!
The Manta Trust revealed that one lucky supporter stands the chance to choose a name for the 5000th male reef manta ray. The winner is picked randomly. Likewise, after naming the Manta, they will receive a personalized manta adoption certificate, a manta you, and a book all about manta and devil rays in the world.
Submit your name for the 5000th Manta Ray HERE. Submissions will close on 20th December 2020. Likewise, the charity will announce the winner on 21st December 2020.
Maldivian Manta Ray Project (MMRP) has been studying the special species for over 15 years. Hence, MMRP created a database of thousands of Manta Ray ID shots. According to the Manta Trust, the general public submitted many of these shots via the IDtheManta programme.
Our whole team are delighted to have identified the 5000th reef manta ray in the Maldives. It’s a testimony to the hard work and dedication of all our researchers, interns, citizen scientists and collaborating tourist operators in the Maldives. Now we’d like the public to help us name this special manta ray.
Tam Sawers, MMRP Manager
An easy way to identify a Manta Ray is by the unique pattern in their belly. This pattern will remain unchanged throughout the life of a Manta. So, they match the pattern against reference images (like humans are identified with fingerprints).
Also read: Choosing a Villa in the Maldives: Beach, Overwater or Underwater?
MMRP has the largest manta database in the world as well. According to the Manta Trust, this database has helped to build a picture of the reef manta ray population’s size, demographics and also their movement in the Maldives.
