In February, the Aquarium & Shark Lab said Dr. Rob Jones verified that Charlotte had conceived without a mate.
Dr. Jones, founder of The Aquarium Vet in Australia, told DailyMail.com that he was only sent ultrasound images in January. He thought they showed egg casing, but not confirmation of pregnancy.
He said he asked if they had seen any movement in the ultrasound but didn't get a reply. He never suggested a shark had mated with the animal, which the North Carolina facility concluded in February.
The Hendersonville aquarium said Charlotte has a rare reproductive disease. A scientist told DailyMail.com that the animal was probably never pregnant but is dying of the illness that made her ovaries swell.
Dr. Jones, founder of The Aquarium Vet in Australia, told DailyMail.com that he was only sent ultrasound images in January. He thought they showed egg casing of what was a possible pregnancy. DailyMail.com has tried to contact Aquarium & Shark Lab several times and has not received a response.
Larry Boles, director of the aquarium science program at Oregon Coast Community College, told DailyMail.com that older stingrays, such as Charlotte, are prone to reproductive tract disease that engorges the uterus and leads to death if untreated.
'The latest video showed the animal in very poor body condition,' said Boles.
'I don’t think she will live longer, and I think it is too late for care.'
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Charlotte the virgin stingray's caretakers post update about her pregnancy.
Brenda Ramer started Team ECCO Ocean Center and Aquarium, also known as The Aquarium & Shark Lab, in 2009.
Before the big move, Ramer was a teacher for Henderson County for nearly 10 years.
Team Ecco made $169,000 in 2022, but spent $202,000 and had $110,000 in debt.
Charlotte’s story began in September when aquarium staff noticed she was swelling.
The team thought it could be cancer, but after ultrasounds, they realized she was pregnant with multiple pups. They announced the news on Facebook on February 6.
'Our stingray, Charlotte, is expecting! We have held this close to our hearts for over 3 months. We have ultrasound images confirmed by two supporters: Dr. Robert Jones and Becka Campbell are the experts who helped us. We have no male ray, which is amazing.
