“This charismatic smile of his has won over all of us at the aquarium, and I think that little by little he is winning over all of Croatia. In fact, it is very special,” Marina Benazic, a biologist at the aquarium, told N1. Fish and sharks are in danger of extinction due to large fisheries, sea pollution and climate change, so the hope at the Pula Aquarium is that Srećko will help preserve these animal species for reproduction.

Srećko, who was only 8cm tall in his early days, spends his time playing in his tank with his seven brothers and sisters. Staff feed the baby rays periodically as they are not yet able to eat on their own.

“These little rays are not used to catching their own food yet, so we offer them krill. Srećko still cannot catch them on his own because they are too fast for him,” said biologist Matea Stankić.

The Adriatic Sea is home to a dozen species of rays. Once Srećko and his siblings grow up, they are expected to be moved to Dubrovnik and placed in another aquarium or released into the Adriatic Sea.

“We are working on that for Srećko, there are several EU programs for reintroduction. We are in talks with the Ministry (of Maritime Affairs) and hope for a positive response,” said Pula Aquarium manager Marija Alikesandar Bećković.

“Lucky would be fine in the wild, in the biggest aquarium of all. After all, it’s her nature. For now, he and his little brothers are more than happy under the watchful eye of his caregivers at the Pula Aquarium,” N1 concluded.