Scuba divers on an expedition in Australia’s Cocos (Keeling) Islands were mesmerised by the rare sight of a manta ray courtship dance.
The reef mantas (Mobula alfredi) performed an “elaborate” mating train for “nearly an hour,” according to Andi Cross, who leads the Edges of Earth expeditions.
Cross shared footage of the enigmatic animals soaring and twirling through the water, one after another. The female leads the chase in this mating ritual with a string of males trying to keep up and impress her with their moves.
“This was a high-speed, high-stakes pursuit, even though it looked serene,” she says. “The pace was relentless – even for the diving team trying to keep up.”
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The expedition team were visiting West and Home Islands to see its stunning biodiversity and meet Cocos Malay leaders. "Set between Indonesia and Australia, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands blend wild ocean life with a tightly knit local culture," says Cross.
The marine environment is closely connected with the culture of the people living here, so these communities focus on protecting both their natural environment and their culture.
“The lagoon and ocean are an important part of life for all community members living on this remote atoll,” says Australian Marine Parks on its website.
Seeing wild spectacles like this is not only stunning, but give conservationists hope for the future of the ocean.
Cross adds: “With reef mantas listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, these moments matter, especially as climate shifts and human pressures close in.”
Image and video credit: Edges of Earth, Andi Cross
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