This is the moment a huge manta ray swam up to the shore of a beach in Andalucia.
The footage, shared on X, shows the creature effortlessly gliding in the water off Garrucha beach in Almeria.
The clip, taken on Friday, shows passersby taking photos and videos on their phones in amazement.
Manta rays can grow up to seven metres wide and have a life span of up to 30 years.
They are typically found in tropical and subtropical oceans and feed on plankton and other tiny fish and organisms.
They have one of the largest brain-to-body ratios of any fish and despite their size, are harmless to humans.
They’re sometimes called the ‘birds of the sea’ because of how elegantly they glide through the water.
But environmentalists are concerned after around 20 manta rays have washed up on Spain’s Mediterranean coast this spring.
Marine biologists and experts are investigating the possible reasons behind the recent incidents.
Many of the stranded rays are large females, suggesting they may be approaching coastal areas to give birth. The stress associated with reproduction could contribute to their vulnerability.
Meanwhile, changes in sea temperature, pollution, and other environmental stressors may be affecting the health and navigation of these rays.
