A leaf sheep sea slug is spotted for the first time at Wuzhizhou Island, Hainan province. [Photo by Gong Qiya/For chinadaily.com.cn]

An ecological photographer recently captured the first verified clear images of a rare leaf sheep sea slug in the waters around an island in Hainan province.

Music Lin, the photographer, documented the tiny species while diving near Wuzhizhou Island in Sanya during the 2026 Hainan International Diving Festival's ocean content co-creation program, which took place in May.

A leaf sheep sea slug is spotted for the first time at Wuzhizhou Island, Hainan province. [Photo by Gong Qiya/For chinadaily.com.cn]

Wuzhizhou Island is home to China's first tropical marine ranch. Marine experts said the species' presence indicates a healthy, stable ecosystem with rich biodiversity.

The leaf sheep sea slug's beady eyes and flat face make it look like an adorable cartoon sheep. An adult of the species measures less than 1 centimeter and is known for its ability to photosynthesize by incorporating chloroplasts from algae it consumes, a trait called kleptoplasty.

A leaf sheep sea slug is spotted for the first time at Wuzhizhou Island, Hainan province. [Photo by Music Lin/For chinadaily.com.cn]

The festival's ocean content co-creation program brought together underwater photographers, divers, models, and young diving fans to produce nearly 100 artistic and ecologically focused image sets.

Lin said the island offered ideal conditions for patient observation. "There's a wide variety of coral," she said, "and while diving, you can see many small schools of fish. It's particularly fascinating. I enjoy quietly observing marine life. Real images are the most moving, and they best help people fall in love with the ocean and protect it."

A leaf sheep sea slug is spotted for the first time at Wuzhizhou Island, Hainan province. [Photo by Kim Eun-Jong/For chinadaily.com.cn]