Manta Pacific Research Foundation

Kona Manta Ray Identification Project

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Prev: 128	Next: 130	images from video by Ryan Leinbach 2007/10/12
Number:	129
Name:	China (DECEASED)
Sex:	Male
Current Size:	4'
Last Sighting:	Oct 12, 2007
First Size:	4'
First Sighting:	Oct 12, 2007

This young shy male was first seen on the night dive outside the Sheraton Keauhou by Ryan. He is named after one of the most experienced boat captains on the Kona Coast: "China Mike" Yee.

On Wednesday June 17, 2009, China was found dead, wrapped in the swim marker buoy off of the Kailua Pier. It appears as if he got wrapped in the mooring and couldn't free himself. All signs indicate he was a healthy animal at the time of his death.

DAR spent an entire day helping free China and doing a necropsy in the field. Tissue samples were sent to Honolulu for analysis and some parts were saved for MPRF for educational purposes. Since he was a healthy individual when he died, the necropsy and tissue analysis will give us baseline data that we can use for future studies.