In a surprising and rare discovery, a massive 400-pound roughtail stingray was found in the Long Island Sound by a survey crew from Connecticut Fish and Wildlife. The enormous creature measured over 6 feet long and 5 feet wide, making it an incredible sight for the crew. Connecticut Fish and Wildlife took to their Facebook page to share the news, describing the stingray as a "gentle giant" typically found along the Atlantic coast from New England to Florida but rarely spotted in the Long Island Sound.

The photo posted on Facebook showed the stingray lying belly up on its back. Rather than attempting to roll the animal over, the crew decided to quickly take some measurements and release it back into the water to watch it swim away unharmed. This decision was made to ensure the safety of both the crew and the animal, as stingrays possess venomous spines in their tails that can cause injury if provoked.

Stingrays, although related to sharks, are not known for being aggressive towards humans and only attack when provoked. Connecticut Fish and Wildlife's compassionate act of releasing the stingray unharmed earned them praise from the public. Many Facebook users expressed their gratitude, leaving comments such as "So glad the ray was released unharmed" and "Thank you so much for letting that magnificent creature go. You guys are definitely some of the good ones."

Connecticut Fish and Wildlife officials considered this sighting a "relatively rare" occurrence in the Long Island Sound. The survey crew stumbled upon the massive stingray during their operations in the sound, which separates Long Island and Connecticut. Weighing an estimated 400 pounds, the stingray was described as “huge” by the officials. It measured over five feet wide and just a few inches shy of six feet long, making it an impressive find. To put it into perspective, the length of the stingray was comparable to Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs' towering tight end and rumored beau of Taylor Swift.

The organization reiterated that roughtail stingrays are typically found along the Atlantic coast, but sightings in the Long Island Sound are relatively rare. While the species possesses venomous spines that could be deadly if used, officials emphasized that these animals are not aggressive and do not frequent nearshore waters where people swim and wade.

This remarkable discovery was not the only notable catch for the survey crew that day. Alongside the stingray, they also captured a cobia, a strong and aggressive predator often mistaken for sharks. Cobia feed on fish, squid, and crustaceans and can grow to more than six feet long and 150 pounds. While historically abundant south of Chesapeake Bay, climate change has led to an increase in their presence in the Long Island Sound as New England waters warm. Connecticut officials highlighted that the Long Island Sound Trawl Survey is a crucial tool to document the effects of climate change in the area.

The survey crew's encounter with the massive stingray and the increased presence of cobia in the Long Island Sound serve as reminders of the changing marine ecosystem due to climate change. Connecticut Fish and Wildlife's commitment to preserving and studying these unique occurrences is not only commendable but essential in understanding and adapting to the new normal created by climate change.