It hardly qualifies as the theft of a century, but a giant Pacific manta displayed some clever moves recently when it made like a purse snatcher and swiped an unsuspecting videographer's expensive gear before stealing away into the dark nighttime waters off Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
The incident occurred as the crew of the travel show, "Into the Drink," was wrapping up a nighttime shoot. Travis Matteson was beneath the surface aiming his camera toward a ball of small fish and plankton circling above him. While focused on the shot he failed to notice the plankton-eating manta approaching swiftly from the side, which snatched the camera from his hands, rolled over backwards and swam off with the camera, which was still shooting.
Matteson's filming his partner, Johnny Reidt, captured the whole thing from his vantage point.
Matteson was sure his $5,000 camera, and the rig that brings the overall value closer to $10,000, was lost. But the manta eventually released the equipment almost directly under their boat. It was retrieved undamaged.
The Kona episode, featuring the docile mantas, is set to air sometime next year.
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Tuesday, September 14, 2010 10:59am PDT
Giant manta caught on video stealing diver's expensive camera rig
By: Pete Thomas, GrindTV.com
Channels: Outdoor
Tags: Giant mantas, Hawaii, scuba diving, kona
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15 Comments
1-15 of 15
Posted by whiskeyoss September 16, 2010 04:24pm PDTReply | Report Abuse
Thats just Funny .. no you cant take my picture.. lmao
Reply by janebond007 September 17, 2010 09:39am PDTReport Abuse
awesome footage Mr. Pete Thomas!
Reply by jenny novak zupancic September 17, 2010 01:48pm PDTReport Abuse
That was the "Sean Penn" Manta species--very rare
Posted by latonya jackson September 16, 2010 04:50pm PDTReply | Report Abuse
that was totally cool. Mantas can think.. He was getting him away from his food. like :"go fetch you nosy camaera man!" You gotta love it!
Posted by mauricio cruz September 16, 2010 05:54pm PDTReply | Report Abuse
you was very near mister......very near
Posted by ehawk7 September 16, 2010 07:37pm PDTReply | Report Abuse
dig the manta.
Posted by joe currie September 16, 2010 07:56pm PDTReply | Report Abuse
Ha ha, don't you realize it was a "Devil" Ray.... Good story glad he got his cam back...
Joe
Florida
Posted by matt parkhur September 16, 2010 08:47pm PDTReply | Report Abuse
WTH? First a sea turtle, now a manta ray?! What the heck is going on? Are times so tough now for aquatic life that they have to resort to stealing divers' equipment?
Posted by andrew davis September 16, 2010 09:05pm PDTReply | Report Abuse
Wasn't there a story about an Octopus doing the exact same thing to somebody a few months ago?
Posted by daniel angelo monaco September 16, 2010 10:18pm PDTReply | Report Abuse
Manta ray one, humanity zero.
Posted by akhira September 17, 2010 05:47am PDTReply | Report Abuse
HAHAHA!!! that was just too cute!
----> maybe the manta was just distracted to the lights. or maybe the other way around? maybe the manta just wanted to lit up some dim areas?hehehe.. or he just wanted to try the cam for himself? haha!!! n_n
Posted by michael demarzo September 17, 2010 07:14am PDTReply | Report Abuse
Good story: however a bit sensational, I am sure the Manta did not intentionally take this dudes camera. I lived and worked in Kailua, Kona for 9 years as a Dive Instructor, boat Captain and U/W Videographer and have dived with the Manta's; first at the Kona Surf site, and then at "Manta Ray Bay". The Mantas are in such shallow water that as they swoop and summersault with mouths open feeding on the plankton gathered in mass attracted by the lights of the cameras, the Mantas bump into each other as well as divers; I am sure it is very difficult for them to see with the BRIGHT lights. Divers are warned to remove snorkel as the Mantas will inadvertently remove a mask on occasion. This video guy had his camera WAY above his head, arms extended and the camera hooked on the cephalic lobe or mandible of the Manta...Oops, what was he expecting?...He will probably keep it a little closer to his body next time.
Michael Demarzo...Ovean Vision Video Productions
Reply by froglover September 17, 2010 07:28am PDTReport Abuse
Hmmmm......maybe, or maybe he was having some fun with the diver. Its pretty coincidental that the Manta dropped the camera right under the boat. I guess I like to think there is more to the Manta than we give him credit for. Love the story either way.
Reply by abacobeachbum September 17, 2010 10:14am PDTReport Abuse
Are you always this much of a pompous know it all ass?
Reply by maka74 September 17, 2010 01:10pm PDTReport Abuse
LOL!!! I dove there last year w/ the mantas, and they are definitely comfortable enough with human divers to interract playfully. I had one come under me and lift me up twice just for the fun of it! My other buddy removed a large fishing hook from one about 30 feet down durinng the day at another location while spearfishing. After 3 unsuccessfull tries, my buddy finally removed the large hook. Immediatedly the manta got under him and gently lifted him up like an elevator to the surface. It was definitely showing grattitude in a playful way! Mantas are much smarter than we think!
Posted by humza qureshi September 17, 2010 07:22am PDTReply | Report Abuse
Manta:bbrrrrrrbbbb (Is that the new camera? I simply MUST try it out, may i?)
Camera-man:No, im busy..go away stupid manta ray!
Manta:bbrbbrbrbrbr!!! (Stupid? I'll show you! LEEROY JENKINS!)
Camera-man:What the hell? MY CAMERA!!! MY LIFE IS OVER!!!
Manta:brbrbrbrb (teeheehee, MY camera.
Camera-man:*Holds gun to head about to shoot himself*
Manta:bbbg (Meh, this cam isn't as good as the turtle stole...)*manta returns cam*
Camere-man:YAY, MY CAM!!!!
What they didn't show you in this vid, was a very sneekeh plankton, who is plotting on stealing that cam next..then...he will RULE THE KRUSTY KRAB!
Posted by kooky September 17, 2010 10:55am PDTReply | Report Abuse
Pretty interesting how the manta took the camera instead of the guys life like the one manta did to Steve Irwin.
I'll never forget you Steve!!! You inspired my own passion for animals!!!!!!!!!
Reply by happyhnc September 17, 2010 11:04am PDTReport Abuse
Yeah, that was a stingray you boob...
Reply by obbyscuba September 17, 2010 11:28am PDTReport Abuse
That was not a Manta, was a sting ray. Mantas do not have a barb like the string ray does. If the Mantas are feeling distressed they simply swim off. In the old days sometimes it was really crowded at the Kona Surf Hotel where the dive was done but that didn't stop the mantas from showing up. The hotel had big lights that shine on the water which brings the plankton which the mantas dine on.
Posted by angel tagle September 17, 2010 12:22pm PDTReply | Report Abuse
that's kinda sad... he got jacked by a fish... it proves no one is safe anywhere...lol
Posted by claygypsy September 17, 2010 04:35pm PDTReply | Report Abuse
This is very possibly the first account of a Manta Ray Cam. Seems everyone wants to be a CNN iReporter.
Posted by travis thor matteson September 17, 2010 11:10pm PDTReply | Report Abuse
I think she just wanted to impress me with her camera skills.
