North Carolina aquarium releases update about Charlotte the virgin stingray’s pregnancy after experts feared her babies could have died

Phew. Charlotte the virgin stingray’s babies are OK and she is still on track to give birth any moment.

That’s according to the latest update from the North Carolina aquarium team that cares for her.

The Aquarium & Shark Lab by Team ECCO posted on Facebook and Instagram that the stingray and her pups are in good health after getting results from the latest ultrasound.

The aquarium’s announcement over the weekend came in response to ongoing public pressure for more information about the pregnant stingray’s condition – with some experts even speculating that her unborn young may have died.

The skepticism stems from the fact that the aquarium shared the first news of the pregnancy in February – and two months have passed with no changes.

But the announcement has done little to stem suspicions among some observers. 

In the absence of details, rumors have swirled. 

Charlotte became the center of a media frenzy back in February when Team ECCO announced she was pregnant – despite not living around any male stingrays. 

Charlotte the stingray and her unborn babies are in good health, according to the latest update from the Aquarium & Shark Lab by Team ECCO in Hendersonville, North Carolina, where she has lived since 2016.

But while the new announcement shared on Facebook assured the public that Charlotte is doing well, it contains no new details about her condition or which experts have been consulted.

Team ECCO has not responded to multiple requests for comment from DailyMail.com. 

In the months since Charlotte’s immaculate conception was announced, some observers have grown concerned that the aquarium is not communicating clearly with the public, leading some to suspect something is amiss.

Team ECCO’s updates have been sporadic, and they don’t always contain much specific information about Charlotte.

Some experts have expressed frustration that Team ECCO has refused input from other aquarium professionals. 

Team ECCO has even blocked some aquarium professionals on social media who reached out privately, according to one commenter.

‘I think those of us who didn’t get blocked have just given up on trying to slow down the confusion and misinformation,’ wrote Linsdsey Condray, who lists her occupation as Senior Aquarist at Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium in Omaha, Nebraska.

‘The way this aquarium has handled Charlotte’s case has not been following standard procedures for dealing with a pregnant ray. There’s not any information of where they sent the latest ultrasounds, but up to this point they’ve made it pretty clear they don’t want any assistance from other experts.’ she wrote. 

And some members of the general public have grown conspiratorial, speculating that the animal is being mistreated and that officials at the aquarium are lying about her status.

Whatever the case may be, Team ECCO announced that the expectant mother is doing well.

‘Here’s Charlotte’s Saturday update! We are still patiently awaiting Charlotte’s delivery,’ the update began. 

‘The ultrasound we sent to our colleagues looked good and there were no signs of any distress. 

‘We will share new developments as they come along. 

‘This has been an incredible journey and we thank you for following along! Your support inspires us to continue our research in Elasmobranch Parthenogenesis.’

‘Parthenogenesis’ is the term for an animal essentially impregnating herself – using her own eggs to create a genetically complete clone in the absence of males of her species.

It has not been confirmed that parthenogenesis is the cause of her apparently virgin birth, but it is the most likely explanation, given that she hasn’t been around a male of her species in almost a decade.

In March, the aquarium shared ultrasounds of Charlotte’s developing babies.

In the video, they could be seen moving their tails, and experts said she was carrying up to four pups. 

Since her virgin birth is so unusual, the aquarium has not been able to tell the public exactly when she will give birth.

This has led to rampant speculation on social media.

‘Isn’t it way past time to have a certified veterinarian check on her? This is getting to the point of neglect and potentially abuse,’ wrote one commenter on the post.

Others reflected a similar skepticism: ‘When will a veterinarian be called out to do a REAL check of her? Who were the results sent off to and can you post the results as they sent them to you? The first article I saw on this stated bumps were noticed in September 2023….. she would be 8 months pregnant now……’

And indeed, the aquarium did say they started monitoring her back in 2023 because of the bumps.

But scientists rarely get the chance to document parthenogenesis in real time, so there is not much information out there on how long it could take.

It’s possible that Charlotte’s pregnancy will take longer than the usual three to four months that stingrays gestate.

Other commenters were quick to point out this uncertainty and defend the aquarium from criticisms.

‘Folks, the average stingray takes 3-4 months to have pups,’ wrote a commenter. ‘It looks like they found out she was pregnant in mid February. 

‘Meaning she probably became pregnant early in February or late January. 

‘Even if we give it the benefit of the doubt and say she became pregnant on January 20th, 3 months is still April 20th and 4 months is May 20th. It just isn’t time yet.’

Another sarcastically remarked: ‘So many stingray reproductive specialists in the comments – amazing!’ 

The small aquarium has been inundated with media requests, as well as public interest.

And there is admittedly little information on Charlotte’s condition available out there in the scientific world, since it is so rare. 

But with so little actual information to go on, and with such vague reassurances from Team ECCO, the public has been left wondering and speculating about what is going on with Charlotte the stingray.