He got the second chance he needed.
In a remarkable rescue earlier this month, a sunfish found itself in a life-threatening situation when it became trapped between a seawall and the surf in Florida. Known for their enormous size and unique appearance, ocean sunfish (Mola mola) are the heaviest of all bony fish, and this particular one was stuck, unable to escape the sand.
Deputy Rick Urquhart from Florida’s Volusia Sheriff’s Office was called to the scene and worked tirelessly to free the giant fish. Despite the challenge posed by the sunfish’s massive size—reaching up to 14 feet vertically and weighing nearly 5,000 pounds—Urquhart was determined to help.
With one giant eye looking up at him, the sunfish appeared to be in distress, but Urquhart’s perseverance paid off. Once freed, the sunfish, seemingly unharmed, made its way slowly but steadily back into the sea, heading toward safety.
Urquhart humorously described the scene, likening it to “watching a Roomba” as the sunfish made its slow but successful return to the water. Thanks to the deputy’s quick action, this ocean giant got another chance at life.