Shockwaves were sent across the natural world last night, as a second stingray attack on a human being is as many months prompted a backlash against stingrays the world over. American James Bertakis was last night critically ill in hospital after being pierced by a sting ray barb to the heart, in a suicide attack which eerily echoes the violent end brought to Australian wildlife activist Steve Irwin in September.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/6066862.stm

It is possible that the stingray was wearing a veil.

The Stingray World Council has immediately condemned the attack, saying that it is the work of a tiny fraction of extremist stingrays, and that its actions are in no way condoned by the vast majority of hard-working, law-abiding stingrays the world over.

"Species of Peace"

"Stingrays are peace-loving creatures, tolerant of others and their views." said a representative last night. "We are a species of peace. The non-stingray population must realise that this is not the action condoned by the stingrays living amongst yourselves.

"This sort of behavious is in no way endemic in stingray culture or behaviour. It is rare and extremist. We are a wide subdivision of the order Rajiformes, spending most of our time trawling the bottom of shallow waters, eating small molluscs and other such fauna. We are not, by nature or nurture, a species of violence."

No small molluscs were available for comment.

Public opinion is of concern, with 98% of Daily Express readers saying that they want to see moves to have stingrays wearing veils in schools, hospitals, and now boats, banned. One incident of a veil being ripped off a stingray at an aquarium in Liverpool, UK, caused widespread condemnation by stingray groups throughout the country.