Giant Endangered Manta Ray Roughly Taken from Florida Waters to Be Put Into Captivity with Official Approval

An endangered giant manta ray was recently taken from the waters off Panama City Beach, Florida, under official authorization — sparking widespread backlash after footage of the capture went viral.

Staff with dolphin tour company Water Planet USA witnessed and recorded the incident on July 12, describing the scene as “heartbreaking.” The video, now circulating widely, shows five men handling the massive aquatic animal and placing it into a confined holding pool. According to the company, the ray appeared to be healthy and visibly distressed.

“I was horrified, and everybody on board was really upset,” said Denis Richard, founder and CEO of Water Planet USA. “That animal was in pain.”

Despite the species being protected under both state and federal law, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) confirmed that the capture was authorized through a Marine Special Activity License. The permit allowed for one manta ray to be collected for “exhibition and education purposes,” with the animal reportedly headed for SeaWorld Abu Dhabi.

Critics argue the move was unnecessary and unethical.

“This is a disgrace,” said Richard. “These permits are an insult to our country’s and the world’s scientific community. As citizens, we have both the right and moral duty to question the government’s decision to allow the cruel capture of sensitive marine species—especially when they’re exported overseas.”

A voice from the Water Planet USA boat can be heard in the video shouting, “Let him go! You should be ashamed of yourselves!”

While SeaWorld Abu Dhabi — the first SeaWorld park outside the U.S. — opened in 2023 as a research and rescue facility and does not house orcas, marine advocates remain skeptical. Richard pointed out the high risk of trauma or even death involved in transporting such a sensitive species, calling the capture a reckless gamble.

According to NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service, giant manta rays are the largest rays on Earth, with wingspans up to 26 feet. They are listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, and face severe threats from commercial fishing and habitat disruption due to their fragmented populations.

SeaWorld and FWC have yet to respond further to the growing public outcry.