Stingrays tales trimmed

[Red]

I was reading an article about rays and i noticed at some of the zoos they trim the rays barbs for no one to get stung, does that hurt the ray?

[smaug]

They do that at the big pet shop I frequent.They have a stingray petting tank for the kids.All the rays are debarbed.They told us its just like trimming a thorn on a bush.They just clip the sharp part from what I understand.

[xoolooxunny]

or kinda like a toenail? well thats a good thing if they are going to have them in captivity around people. I saw a guy on tv whose calf almost rotted off from the poison/infection of a ray sting.

[Red]

yeah but a stingray is a living fish not a plant..... i just feel a little anger at this because it kind of reminds me of when the take the venom out of snakes just for the human purpose (and thanks for ur input smaug)

[gm72]

...or cropping a dog's tail.

The difference here though is important. They are de-barbing the stingray so that people can enjoy them and learn about them.

What's right and what's wrong. I'm not casting an opinion, just suggesting thought.

[Red]

yeah gm i can see about the learning and enjoying thing, its just that i feel bad for the rays

[Lady Hobbs]

Probably about like trimming a horses hooves or trimming an elephant tusk. No pain for the animal but making it less lethal.