Photographer Captures Stunning Images Of The World's Only Known Pink Manta Ray

Off the coast of Australia, near Lady Elliot Island, the world's only known pink manta ray has once again been spotted!

Nicknamed "Inspector Clouseau," after the the main character of the classic "The Pink Panther," was photographed by Kristian Laine.

According to Laine, she was original confused when seeing the pink manta, believing the ray's vibrant hue was due to a camera malfunction. Laine told Australian Geographic, "I was in the middle of a manta train with seven other mantas. I was looking through my viewfinder and was thinking it's weird that one of the mantas looks pink. I actually thought my strobes were playing up, making the manta look pink."

When she returned to land, Laine discovered that the sighting was authentic, and later took to Instagram to share photos of the "amazing and absolutely unforgettable encounter."

The last, and first, time the rare manta ray was spotted was in 2015, by diving instructor Ryan Jeffery off Lady Elliot Island (once again).

The pink coloring on this manta ray remains a mystery. Project Manta's Asia Armstrong said, "The working theory is that it is just a different and very unique expression of the melanin, but that is still to be confirmed."

01
"Worlds only pink manta called Inspector Clouseau. What an amazing and absolutely unforgettable encounter that was. Stay tuned for more photos to come of this beautiful mantas little adventures at Lady Elliot Island"

via @kristianlainephotography
Advertisement
02
"The only pink manta in the whole world can be found cruising the shallow waters around lady Elliot from time to time, around 8 times in 8 years i think is more like the odds"

via @kristianlainephotography
03

via Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort

For a weekly dose of animal-themed community challenges - Subscribe to our Newsletter!

Can't get enough of ICanHasCheezburger? Find us on Instagram!

Also From I Can Has Cheezburger?

Trending Now

'She was starving and terrified': Couple rescues a screaming black cat that was alone in the woods, and now, she is spoiled and will never be hungry again

Neighbor holds lost cat "for ransom", demanding to get rewarded for finding her, then throws the scared feline back outside when the owner can't immediately pay: 'I need her back. She's my baby!'

Photographer Captures Stunning Images Of The World's Only Known Pink Manta Ray

"Worlds only pink manta called Inspector Clouseau. What an amazing and absolutely unforgettable encounter that was. Stay tuned for more photos to come of this beautiful mantas little adventures at Lady Elliot Island"

"The only pink manta in the whole world can be found cruising the shallow waters around lady Elliot from time to time, around 8 times in 8 years i think is more like the odds"

Tags

Also From I Can Has Cheezburger?

Trending Now

'She was starving and terrified': Couple rescues a screaming black cat that was alone in the woods, and now, she is spoiled and will never be hungry again

Neighbor holds lost cat "for ransom", demanding to get rewarded for finding her, then throws the scared feline back outside when the owner can't immediately pay: 'I need her back. She's my baby!'

25 Feline Funnies for Folks Who Feel Guilty After Taking Their Cat to the Vet

Comical Cat Memes For Feline Friendly Folks In Need of A Laugh Fest

27 Cozy Winter-Coated Cat Memes for Pawrents Who Can’t Get Their Cat-Kids to Cover Up.

Purrfectly Precious Pics: Cat Snapshots to Cheer Up a Friend With Feline Fun