A fisherman caught in the Mekong in Cambodia largest freshwater fish ever recorded trapped in the world. The animal is a giant freshwater stingray, nearly four meters long and weighing nearly 300 kilograms, according to the US-Cambodian research project “Wonders of the Mekong”. The female was captured on June 13 in the northeast of the country. The previous record had been held since 2005 by a 293-kilogram giant Mekong catfish.
Sensational find at sea
The latest discovery left the “Wonders of the Mekong” team speechless, quoted the head of the research project, Zeb Hogan, according to National Geographic magazine. The University of Nevada expert documented large freshwater fish for nearly two decades. The capture gives new hope, he emphasized: “It proves that these endangered underwater giants still exist.”
Unlike the giant catfish in Thailand, the giant stingray was not killed and eaten, but equipped with an acoustic tracking device. loose back in nature. “When the stingray passes through our network of 36 recipients, we are able to collect data on its migration and behavior for the first time,” the statement said.
“Boramy” was released in the wild
the fish stayed “Borami” christened, which means “full moon” in Khmer – because not only is his body shape round, but he was also thrown back into the Mekong during the most recent full moon. In Cambodia, the term is also used for beautiful women.
“When people see these animals exist and realize how amazing they are, they are inspired,” said Hogan. “The fish that broke the record in 2005 was killed and its meat sold.” The new record holder, on the other hand, will be watched by scientists on her journey across the river. “It’s a contrast. It means all is not lost.”