Adopt a stingray

Become a Sea Guardian today by adopting a stingray

Stingrays are related to sharks, and just like their shark cousins, they do not have any bones. Instead, their bodies are supported by cartilage – the same stuff your nose and ears are made of. They have broad fins, or ‘wings’, that run the full length of their bodies, giving them a flattened, rounded appearance.

To navigate through the water, stingrays move their whole bodies in a wavy motion that propels them through the water. Some stingrays like the eagle ray can flap their ‘wings’ so hard they can launch themselves out of the water and into the air!

Adopt a species - stingray

Adopt Ray a stingray with a monthly gift of $35 or more and you will receive:

Our oceans and marine wildlife need your help. 

Australia has some of the most extraordinary oceans on the planet. But right now, our oceans are facing dire threats, more than ever before. Plastic pollution, rising ocean temperatures and damaging fisheries are just some of the major threats that we’re fighting.

Adopt a species today to fight to protect our oceans and precious marine life.

Adopt a species

 

Meet Ray the stingray

Hi! I’m Ray!

I’m a stingray.

I love playing hide and seek along the ocean floor. I live in the waters across Australia. When I’m not grinding on crustaceans and small fish - I’m out and about gliding along the sand.

My fever and I are under threat due to habitat loss and bycatch.

I’d be so happy if you would adopt me, to help my fever get the marine conservation help they need to survive.

Common Name: Stingray
Scientific Name: Myliobatoidei
Type: Fish
Diet: Carnivore
Size: Up to 200 cm
Weight: Up to 350kg
Group name: Shiver
Protection status: (Depends on the species)

Our plush toys are made from 100% RECYCLED fabric and fibre filling.

Each toy is made using 16 plastic water bottles, recycled paper hang tag, and biodegradable packaging.

Join us as a Sea Guardian today and together we will make a difference for tomorrow. 

All donations of $2 or more are tax-deductible. Sea Guardian donations are charged on the 15th of every month. Please contact us at any time to cancel or change your regular donation. Adopt-a-species toys are dispatched after three successful monthly donations.

Not the species you were looking for? Return to adopt-a-species page to select another species to adopt.

Just like to make a regular gift, and not adopt-a-species plushie, visit our Sea Guardian information page.

Learn more about stingrays

A recent study by the University of Newcastle has revealed that stingrays play a crucial role in shaping estuaries. When they forage for food, they stir up sand sediments and create pits in the ocean floor. These pits help oxygen to penetrate the sand, which many marine organisms rely on for survival. A decline in stingrays would mean a decline in sand turnover. With less turnover, the sand lacks oxygen which impacts the survival of other creatures.

For some groups of First Nations people in Australia, stingrays hold significant cultural and spiritual importance.

The primary threat to numerous coastal ray species stems from habitat loss due to coastal development and commercial infrastructure projects. Crucial habitats such as mangroves and seagrass beds are often destroyed or degraded. These environments are vital for the stingrays' feeding, breeding, and shelter, and their loss significantly impacts the survival and health of these species. Additionally, stingrays are also often caught as bycatch in commercial fishing operations.

Marine sanctuaries are highly protected areas within marine parks – free from activities like mining and fishing – that are fundamental for ensuring the future of our oceans. Marine sanctuaries protect our unique and vulnerable marine life and provide protection for important resting, feeding, breeding and nursery areas. We need to grow our networks of marine sanctuaries - in both Commonwealth and coastal state waters - to ensure all types of ocean ecosystems are protected.

With your support, we will continue to demand action for our Government to create marine parks in order to protect our precious marine life, like our stingrays.