Humpback Whale saves a marine biologist from Tiger shark
Posted by Glad_Language_9433@reddit | whales | View on Reddit | 21 comments
In 2017, marine biologist Nan Hauser was swimming off the Cook Islands when a humpback whale started pushing her with its head and tucking her under its fin. At first, she thought she was being attacked.
Then she saw the tiger shark.
The whale protected her for nearly 10 minutes until she could make it to her boat. To this day, no one understands why humpbacks do this. They are known to protect seals, dolphins, and, apparently, humans
AlienDayDreamer@reddit
When I was in high school, my marine biology club witnessed some dolphins herd a humpback away from the shore and push him free when he got stuck. He was about twenty feet from the shore but he was eventually free an he breached a few times (I assume to get sand off of him).
Cetaceans are something else. I love them!
stayhaileyday@reddit
How cute! Were they bottle nose dolphins ??
AlienDayDreamer@reddit
Yes! Pacific bottlenose dolphins, about five or six of them
stayhaileyday@reddit
The angels of the sea. Though some would argue that’s actually the humpback whale’s title
SJIS0122@reddit
>To this day, no one understands why humpbacks do this.
Sharks and orcas can prey on their calves, you could say they protect seals and humans from their hated predators to deny them a meal
Tardisgoesfast@reddit
Or because they know they're dangerous.
stayhaileyday@reddit
And he recognized her again years later and she knows she’ll see him again
snowgoon_@reddit
Source?
corriefan1@reddit
There are videos online, including one she did a year later, when the whale seemed to recognize her.
snowgoon_@reddit
Why not link to those instead of just a text post?
corriefan1@reddit
Sorry, didn’t know you couldn’t do that yourself. Ask someone to help you. Lol
TheOmegoner@reddit
Why not ask OP or google the video yourself instead of asking someone who didn’t make the post?
III00Z102BO@reddit
Maybe they're more intelligent than we give them credit for. Maybe they have empathy. It's insane to me that we still allow whaling.
redheadeddoom@reddit
They do have empathy! Their hippocampus is actually more complex than ours. Their social networks alone show us how much they care for one another. I love whales so much!
Reasonable-Tea-9679@reddit
😢💙 I wonder if the see us a something cute to help take care of like we do for cats and dogs and most other animals
redheadeddoom@reddit
This is my theory on why orcas don't consider us prey. I bet they think it's cute when we try to swim. They have been reported trying to "feed" divers before. I reckon they find us adorable for even trying to be aquatic with our skinny little flippers 🥹
god1495227931@reddit
I want a belly rub from a whale
Glad_Language_9433@reddit (OP)
Oh my gosh yes.
SnoopyFan6@reddit
If only people could have as much altruism and empathy as these amazing creatures.
Glad_Language_9433@reddit (OP)
A national geographic article
imagez_of_ikonn@reddit
Altruism ☺️