A team of animal experts from the Isle of Wight's Wildheart Animal Sanctuary rescued an undulate ray that washed up on Yaverland beach, with a fish hook in its mouth.

The hook was removed and the ray was taken back out to sea.

Managers praised the work of Chris, Kerry, Rose and Tom and thanked the members of the public who alerted them to the ray's plight on Friday, April 5.

Isle of Wight County Press: Chris, Kerry, Rose and Tom from the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary during the stingray rescueChris, Kerry, Rose and Tom from the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary during the stingray rescue (Image: Wildheart Animal Sanctuary)

Undulate ray grow up to 90cm long and can live for 20 years, according to the Hampshire and IW Wildlife Trust.

They live on the seabed and are listed as endangered.

They are actually a species of skate, which means they have a shorter tail that rays, and cannot sting.

The creature that washed up on Yaverland beach was originally believed to be a stingray.