It’s common to hear heartwarming stories about people with pets.
We live alongside many beautiful creatures, some of which we’ve domesticated over time. From cats and dogs to horses and chickens, the list of animals that share our lives is extensive.
But what about manta rays?
Got your attention? Good. Because the tale I’m about to share is truly captivating!
According to reports, an extraordinary bond formed a few years back between a young boy and a giant manta ray in Vueltas, La Gomera, Canary Island.
The location is known to be a sanctuary for marine life, with large rays and colorful fish thriving in its waters, often swimming near the harbor.
One specific local pier became the backdrop for an improbable friendship, partly due to fishermen tossing leftover catch into the sea at day’s end.
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This practice attracted more rays close to the shore than usual.
It was this unusual sight that facilitated the encounter between a local boy named Joel and an abnormally large manta ray. Astonishing footage captures the ray approaching a stone step to eat the catch from Joel’s hand!
Believe it or not, the ray visited the harbor every morning to feed from Joel’s palm, as per reports.
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Joel even developed a unique way to grab his friend’s attention. And when the ray surfaced, the boy gently tapped its head, unafraid of this denizen of the deep and watery world.
The video of Joel and his manta ray companion was shared on YouTube in 2013. To date, it has amassed approximately 59 million views!
You can watch the video of Joel and the ray below:
I personally believe there’s much we can learn from the animals we coexist with on this planet! If you found this story fascinating, check out the one below:
Read More: Deer painted with ‘PET’ on its body and collar – police issue warning
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