Mass Migration of Stingrays

The Spectacular Mass Migration of Stingrays

Looking like giant leaves floating in the sea, thousands of Golden Rays are seen here gathering off the coast of Mexico, off the northern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, gliding silently beneath the waves, turning vast areas of blue water to gold.

These magnificent creatures are making one of their biannual mass migrations to more agreeable waters.

The spectacular scene was captured by Sandra Critelli, an amateur photographer, stumbled across the phenomenon while looking for whale sharks.

'It's hard to say exactly how many there were, but in the range of a few thousand'

Despite having poisonous stingers, they are known to be shy and non-threatening when in large schools.

The population in the Gulf of Mexico migrates, in schools of as many as 10,000, clockwise from western Florida to the Yucatan.

Contributed by: Estrelita Soliano Grosse.

P.Uthayakumar

This morning, the High Court postponed P.Uthayakumar's case to April.

His lawyer YB M.Manogaran gave an account why Uthayakumar was not present in court. The problem lies with his swollen leg. Secondly, Uthayakumar refused police escorts because they will blindfold and intimidate him along the way despite having his difficulties to walk. He prefers to attend court with the prison wardens escort.

The attachment is his fourth police report made about how he was deprived of a proper medical treatment.

Fourth Police Report by P. Uthayakumar. I want urgent medical treatment at Gleaneagles Hospital.

This is my fourth police report since my left leg toe injury on 31/1/09. On 3/2/09 I was taken to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital but was refused to be admitted despite confirming a fracture, my leg blackening and swollen. On 12/2/09 at about 11.30 pm I was taken to the Emergency Department of Taiping General Hospital when my leg suddenly swelled more. Only after a police report was lodged I was taken to see a specialist at the Taiping General Hospital on 17/2/09 who merely also repeated what the earlier two doctors had said that my leg would heal on its own. Up to date I have never been given any medication or medical aids. But the Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar diverted the whole issue by saying that I had refused to go to hospital. From day one ie from 31/1/09 I have insisted that I want to be treated at the Gleaneagles Private Hospital as the Government Hospital doctors independence have been compromised by the police Special Branch as is evident from these doctors and government servants tens of affidavits filed at the Kuala Lumpur High Court last year.

On 16/3/09 when my leg swelled up and became painful again I had put up a request form officially asking to make a police report and to be sent to the said Gleneagles Hospital but to no avail. I was only allowed to make a police report today 18/3/09 that too only after numerous reminders.

On 16/2/08 at about 3.05 pm on Chief Inspector Sobri came with another prison cameraman constable Sobri who took five shots of my swollen and blackened leg. They together with Sargeant Sulmi also saw my leg condition.

On 16/2/09 the prison warden gave me my one month of Diabetes and cholesterol medications. I am putting this on record as I do not want Syed Hamid to play politics with my health and say that I am not taking my medication.

On 17/3/09 there is a new sharp pain on my left foot toe and I walk the most minimum possible.

On 18/3/09 I showed Coporal Razali my swollen and blackened leg and said it was painful-sharp pain. I again insisted that I want to lodge a police report for the records. This is the only thing I can do as a prisoner. I still believe that the umno controlled Malaysian government is trying to kill me in prison for political reasons. I repeat for the twentieth time that I want to be treated urgently at the Gleaneagles Hospital. I did not ask to be in prison. I also ask ugently for all my medical reports from 13/12/07 to date from the Taiping General Hospital, Pusat Perubatan Taiping and Klinik Kemta (Prison Clinic) and also the prison taken five photographs aforesaid.

Earlier on 16/3/09 at 11.30 am I had showed Constable Mushas my swollen leg and told the duty Corporal that the old plastic chair given to me broke and almost seriously injured my backbone.

Indra, the wife of Uthayakumar put up a brave front when obliging me with my questions. Like any loving wife, she misses her husband like her children. What they have right now is the hope that keeps them together.

She visits her husband every Saturday with her children and the hugs and kisses are the only meaningful contact that they have the privilege to. Her immediate concern is the condition of Uthaya's leg which is deteriorating.

She is thankful to those who show support and she will convey the message to her husband that people have not forgotten him and those in Kamunting. No matter how hard she tries, she could not keep her teary eyes away each time the thought of her husband flashes across her mind.

The vibration is strong over the whole issue even her intermittent smiles could not hide. Like all the spouses of ISA detainees, they share the common trait, that is to be steadfast and to support their men.

Indra's love and belief in her man is painted across her face but the hurt in her heart is forever hidden from people's eyes. The only way people could give her and her children the comfort is to be with her at the next hearing on 20th. April 2009.

We are not wearing the shoes of the spouses of ISA detainees, but at least we should learn to walk a mile with them, and in this case, let us walk with Indra!

See you all on the 20th.April 2009 morning at Jalan Duta Court.