One of five shark rays on exhibit at Newport Aquarium died of internal injuries sustained while attempting to mate.
According to the aquarium’s Facebook page, the unnamed female shark ray’s internal injury is rare.
“Female sharks and sting rays often receive non-fatal external injuries during the mating process,” a message states on the web page.
According to WCPO, the shark ray was the latest addition to the aquarium and part of previous Facebook posts by the aquarium asking the public to vote for its name.
“We are all deeply saddened by this loss, and deeply grateful for the warm welcome that our friends and fans gave to this beautiful animal,” the Newport Aquarium stated on its page.
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