Stingray born at the Dolfinarium without a father dies

A stingray in its natural environs Photo: Depositphotos
The baby stingray. Photo: Dolfinarium Harderwijk via Facebook

The stingray born in the Dolfinarium in Harderwijk three weeks ago after its mother reproduced without having mated has died, a zoo official said on Tuesday.

The fish, which had been placed in a separate tank to protect it from being eaten by its mother, was not strong enough to survive, officials told the Telegraaf.

The zoo is carrying out dna research on the dead fish in an effort to establish if its mother did indeed give birth through parthogenesis, a survival strategy where females give birth without fertilisation by a male taking place. It is seven years since the male ray died.

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