![Flickr:kidcadaver, Kaiyukan - Manta Ray [240x160]](http://farm1.static.flickr.com/177/439458964_b61efe9e64_m_d.jpg "Flickr:kidcadaver, Kaiyukan - Manta Ray")
[via Tony Wu]
Watch the birth of a baby mantra ray literally unfold.
Video of the world’s first live birth of a manta in captivity. Healthy baby female, about 1.9 metres across, born at the Churaumi Aquarium in Okinawa, Japan. Video is from a TBS news broadcast.
I am curious to know if the animal mated and reproduced in captivity or if it was captured while pregnant.
- Live Manta Birth in Captivity
- Churaumi Aquarium (English) and link to their manta news details
- More on manta rays here: The Manta Network
UPDATE: The story at Japan Probe and Yahoo News suggests that the parents mated while in captivity.
UPDATE II: Sadly, the baby manta has died. 
Keepers believe the baby died of bruises and cuts, apparently caused by its abusive father that constantly chased after the baby, often slamming into it, the aquarium said.
The reason for the father’s violence was not immediately known, and the baby’s death was still under investigation, the aquarium said.
I read in the news that the mama ray was brought into captivity in 1988 after a run-in with a boat. It mated witha male at the aquarium. cute baby. haha