An incredibly rare pink manta ray, affectionately named Inspector Clouseau after the iconic Pink Panther detective, has been captured in photographs off the coast of an Australian island. This stunning marine creature showcases a unique pink coloration, believed to result from a genetic mutation similar to albinism. Inspector Clouseau, an 11-foot male reef manta ray, stands as the sole pink specimen within his species and was initially identified in 2015.
Living in the waters around Lady Elliot Island, this two-tonne marine marvel has drawn the attention of Kristian Laine, a Finnish photographer. The remarkable images of Inspector Clouseau were taken by Laine, who was both fascinated and baffled by the rare sight.
Inspector Clouseau is closely monitored by Project Manta, an Australian organization dedicated to unraveling the mysteries behind his extraordinary coloring. Experts have been pondering the origins of his unique hue, and various theories have been proposed. The prevailing explanation currently points to a genetic mutation known as erythrism, which affects the expression of melanin, the pigment responsible for an animal’s coloration.
Erythrism, a mutation akin to melanism and albinism, can cause animals to display uncommon colors. In some cases, it results in a striking reddish hue, and in the instance of Inspector Clouseau, a captivating pink tint.
Solomon David, an aquatic ecologist at Nicholls State University in the United States, noted that such pigmentation-related mutations are not entirely unexpected in fish species. Nevertheless, the presence of a pink manta ray is a remarkable and captivating phenomenon.
Inspector Clouseau, a true marvel of the ocean, has been sighted only a handful of times since his discovery in 2015. Laine, who captured this incredible encounter, expressed his amazement at the encounter, describing how he felt as if the manta ray was smiling at him during the close interaction. This unforgettable encounter lasted for approximately 20 to 30 minutes as Inspector Clouseau joined a train of mantas circling a cleaning station, leaving a lasting impression on all who witnessed this extraordinary marine spectacle.
