Dramatic Footage: Three Men Rescue Humpback Whale off California Coast
- Posted on July 18, 2011 at 10:21pm by
Tiffany Gabbay
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Three whale watchers got more than they bargained for when they found themselves in the throes of an hour-long struggle to free a humpback whale from a tangled mass of fishing nets. The dramatic scene, captured on film, happened off the coast of California.
According to The Daily Mail, the three men initially thought the whale was dead it let out a loud breath through its blow hole.
Michael Fishbach reportedly then decided to enter the water and snorkel alongside the distressed creature:
He said: “As I swam alongside the animal our eyes met.
There were no words we could share but I wanted to let the whale know that we were there to help.
It took some effort to stay focused given the great emotion of the moment.
The sight of this large and beautiful creature trapped and so close to death was almost overwhelming.”
‘I must admit I was a bit scared because I knew the whale was frightened and fatigued but could still kill me with one panicked movement.’
According to the Mail, the whale was so entangled its body was weighed down by about 15 feet but with elbow grease, the trio eventually untangled one of the fins. Apparently, the whale then sensed its fin had been freed and swam away, pulling the boat with it! Soon after it returned and the men were able to work on cutting away the remaining nets until the whale was completely free.
What came next was a sweet reward I‘m sure even the whale watchers weren’t expecting:
For the next hour they watched the whale breach around 40 times and then dive down waving its tail above the water.
Michael said: ‘We all believed it was a least a show of pure joy, if not thanks.
‘We were all proud and thrilled that we saved this fantastic young life.
‘It was an incredible experience that none of us will ever forget.’
On the video a small girl can be heard saying: ‘I know what she is doing. She is showing us that she is free.
Her mother replies to her: ‘I think she is showing us a thank you dance.’
ITN News provides the video:
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Comments (46)
SquirrelNYC
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 10:03pmI love stories like this in times when you just want some good news. Humpback whales are so beautiful. I’m glad these people were willing to take some time out and help the poor whale, risking their own lives. For the whale to treat the boaters to some breaching displays was an extra bonus! What a joyous sight. The one time I saw a breach was off Monterey, and I only caught the end of a youngster humpback falling back to the water after breaching, after simply turning my head for a moment =(.
As for the whale breaching as a sign of thanks, I say why not? Animals do have feelings – just meet any dog. Whales also exhibit emotion, and they are intelligent. Yes, maybe it is anthropomorphizing animals, but sometimes that’s the best way to make a connection with them, to put yourself in that animal’s mind for a moment and think of how they might be feeling.
To those boaters – kudos to you and great job! As for the whale, I hope she lives a long safe life free from pain.
Report Post »ying
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 9:08pmHappy story, but when he swims to China, he’ll be slaughtered.
Report Post »Downward_spiral
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 3:13pmAwesome! Good job! Beautiful! Thank you for a slice of good!
Report Post »fliteking
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 4:05pmSo right! A slice of good.
Report Post »abbygirl1994
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 1:36pmI love these sorts of stories, fill the heart with hope!
Report Post »conservativewoman
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 1:11pmThank you Blaze for posting such a heart-warming story. It gives us a little hope, which is short supply these days. I pray God will show the good people of America how to untangle our country from the net of oppression we find ourselves in.
Report Post »In a Bunker
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 2:41pmWhat an appropriate video for all of us. Don’t we all feel entangled and oppressed by this administration? Wouldn’t we all like to cut the shackles and be free once again?
Report Post »blazingaway
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 1:06pmI hate these destructive nets. I think they should outlaw nets in our waters and in international waters.
Report Post »Fish all they want to, just no bottom dragging nets.
lemmings4obama
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 1:13pmI agree. They are very destructive to a lot of sea creatures. Good work crew!
Report Post »jgmillionaire
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 1:20pmA lot of these fishing techniques like nets and trailing lines with hooks are illegal but not enforced. IWC has banned whaling operations especially but the Japanese still hunt for an average of 1000 whales a year despite their 18 month 60 thou TONNES surplus of illegal whale meat. Bycatch has long been a problem but always been ignored.
Report Post »cranberry
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 1:05pmwonderful story. Makes you wonder how many fish/whales/etc are dragged down because of those stupid nets/fishing line.
Report Post »madhornet
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 1:04pmglad there were people there to free this whale from the nets. My heart is happy for whale and again thanks to the people who saved it. God Bless
Report Post »pap pap
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 1:04pmA beautiful story. It cheered me up.
Report Post »MadBrad
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 11:57amIt was during the beginning of my descent into financial disaster in November of 2004 that I tried to make a living in the commercial fishing world. I actually became productive once I figured out that it was worth all the misery that had to be endured to see Gods creation the way I was seeing it and to actually become a part of it. I saw God in everything my eye met, especially in those rare moments when I could look into the eyes of one of his wonderfully made creatures, studying them studying me. It is a deeply spiritual experience. Anyone who can deny the existence of God is woefully ignorant.
His eye is on the Sparrow, his hand is upon the Sea. In spite of all the Evil in this world I know he’s watching after me.
Report Post »whereareyourbrains
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 11:50amuh, where’s my post?
Report Post »whereareyourbrains
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 11:47amAw the wonderful world of wild life. How nice it is to see it didn’t turn on them after they saved it.
Report Post »Unlike some people resisting the GOP for trying to save AMERICA.
They are trying to cut the ropes and free us…why don’t you let them. FREEDOM.
JustJP
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 11:29amcool stuff
Report Post »concealled9mms
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 10:52amgod i hate nets im glad this time there was a great ending.
Report Post »Lover of America
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 10:34amHey NOFROGLICKER (stupid name by the way). Go away. It’s nice to have a good story once in a while.
Report Post »anAmericanVet
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 10:26amObama heard this story and Blamed Bush.
Report Post »Cass Sunstein had the boaters jailed for molesting a whale.
and Bill Clinton urged the President to invoke the 14th Ammendment for funds to Save the Whales.
oh . . .and AlGore invented Whales.
Mirimichi
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 10:52amYou’ve got that right.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 12:35pmDon’t forget the moritorium on fishing.
Report Post »orkydorky
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 1:58pmAnd they looked into each others eyes, I wonder, did the drama continue? Did they marry and have babies??
Report Post »snoozinglion
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 9:45amNice story…
Good karma for those folks…
Report Post »MidWestMom
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 10:55amBeautiful !!! And I love the little girl’s comment – sheer joy!
Report Post »nofroglicker
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 9:43amIf you think for one minute that this whale is saying thank you to the people that freed it from the nets you may be dumber than the whale. I guess the fact that the whale was still for this procedure is a function of the thought that “these are humans with the intent of helping me and not harvesting me”. Funny, I remember seeing footage of the same action from a whale that ended in the injury of several sailors and the destruction of their boat. What was the whale thanking them for?
Report Post »That one guy
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 10:04amThank you for you analysis, Dr. Killjoy.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 11:03amThey say whales are intelligent. I would think there are smart whales and dumb ones as well as there are smart humans and dumb humans…..take liberals for example. I’m glad to see something with a happy ending.
Report Post »saneasylum
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 11:25am@Nofroglicker
Report Post »That Whale is probably more inteligent than most humans!
Kansas Mom
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 12:31pmGo away…you’re sucking the joy out of this happy story!!
Report Post »Lawlcat001
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 1:57pmyou’re dumb, Frog-Guy
Report Post »pecosval
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 9:39amThis story has made my day! A life changing moment for these men, I am sure.
Report Post »nysparkie
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 9:25amYou have think this beautiful creature if not saying thank you was just releasing some unknown emotion, if not actually showing joy for its freedom. Do these higher mammalia actually have emotions or a conscience? I don’t know. If they have something it is wonderful to see examples such as this. Truly inspiring. Makes those transgender stories seem so insignificant.
Report Post »TheLeftMadeMeRight
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 9:03amWhen my son was learning to drive I was co-pilot as he navigated a rural road, 55mph 90 degree banked turn to the right. On the apex of the curve was a turtle (rather large one, at least 18 inch diameter crossing the road and a tree hugger trying desperately to save the turtle.) As a semi came the opposite way, this tree hugger was on his knees inches from turtle and the path of our bumper, with his car parked partially on and off the shoulder, enough that my son had to move to the left to avoid hitting the prius. At the same instant my son had to choose between the semi, the prius or the turtle. You guessed it, the turtle went splat all over the tree hugger and his eco-mobile. I laughed so hard I almost wet myself. That turtle had made the same road crossing hundreds of times all by him or herself. The tree hugger was to blame for the turtle’s death. “Save the whales, and shoot those seals.” (Cheech & Chong)
Report Post »That one guy
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 10:12amI remember being in the second grade and seeing some kids get the same joy you describe killing frogs in a nearby creek. You should head up to your local convenience store and grab some Laffy Taffy. I‘m sure you’d find their wrappers comedic gold.
Report Post »4smohrs
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 8:53amThis was really remarkable! Animals do sometimes appreciate us.
Report Post »TheDebtWeAllPay
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 8:52amTruly Awesome
Report Post »NOTAMUSHROOM
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 8:35amIs there anyone who still thinks that non-human animals CAN’T COMMUNICATE?
Report Post »TheLeftMadeMeRight
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 9:05amYes there is Doctor Doolittle
Report Post »GadsdenPatriot
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 3:21amIf a beautiful animal’s natural state is to be free, than how much more so is man’s?
Report Post »GadsdenPatriot
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 3:25am*Man’s?
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on July 19, 2011 at 10:07amWell stated.
I’d celebrate too, if I had been stuck for a long time and someone let me go!
WOOO HOOOO!!!
You know, if I had to live under a repressive government for decades. One that took MORE of my hard earnings than I was ALLOWED to keep. One that stopped me from starting businesses by placing quotas, massive fees, and red-tape-bureaucracy in my path. One that prohibited me from living my life on my terms, flying flags in my front yard, etc. One that FORCED me to buy health insurance, one that TOOK my money and gave it to my neighbor, the FOURTH GENERATION welfare recipient who tells me her occupation is, “I’s gets checks” – (Don‘t go hatin’ on me, that is an EXACT QUOTE). A divisive president that uses all the power of the most powerful position on earth, to divide America, FOR HIS OWN political gain. A president that politicizes EVERYTHING he does.
Yessir, If I was ever in that situation, and got extricated, I’d celebrate too!
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