Caught in a Tangle: How a Mobula Ray Said "Thank You" After a Daring Rescue

In a heartwarming tale from the depths of the ocean, a group of underwater photographers and free divers embarked on a mission to rescue a mobula ray tangled in fishing rope off the coast of Baja California, Mexico. The ray was found over 30 feet deep, ensnared by lines connected to a shark fisherman’s buoy and surrounded by three circling silky sharks. With danger lurking nearby, the divers worked diligently in shifts, cutting away the entangling rope to free the distressed creature while capturing the moment on camera.

After what must have felt like an eternity fighting against the odds, the team successfully cut the ray free. But the story didn’t end there—once liberated, the ray made a surprising U-turn and returned to the divers, circling them in what Andre Smits, one of the rescuers, described as a gracious “thank you.” This unexpected encounter served as a beautiful reminder of the connections we can share with marine life, and just maybe, that gratitude swims a lot deeper than we often realize.