Divers Rescue Trapped Whale And It Gives Heartfelt ‘Thank You’

Oct 27, 2021 by apost team

Animals are extraordinary in many ways, and though we may not be able to communicate with them in the same language, we can still form a beautiful bond with them. The type of animal does not matter; based on the stories that are shared across the internet, it seems that land, air and water animals can all show us love and care, and can understand the same when they receive it. 

Though it is common knowledge that animals have feelings, people still continue to be blown away when animals express themselves. For one group of rescue divers, an incredible experience with a humpback whale shows him just how amazing sea animals can be. 

Back in 2005, a crab fisherman noticed a whale lingering around his boat near the Farallon Islands and decided to investigate. He found that the whale was covered in nylon ropes that were connected to crab pots. Luckily, Mick Menigoz of Novato, who received a call regarding the trapped whale, alerted the Marine Mammal Center and gathered a competent group of rescue divers who would eventually save the 50-ton creature.

Had the humpback whale not been found, it might have been disastrous for the poor creature as the position it was in at the time was dire and quite painful. Thankfully, the divers got to work immediately and worked their way across the painful trap that immobilized the humpback whale. Most animals may have just swum off after being rescued, but this incredible sea creature decided to show its gratitude in the most memorable way. 

When he heard about the humpback whale in trouble, rescue diver James Moskito was the first in the water and jumped in near the Farallon Islands to help the whale, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Once he got closer to the whale, he realized that the humpback was entangled in heavy ropes that kept weighing him down. The whale couldn't breach properly in such a condition; it was struggling to get itself out of the water to be able to breathe.

"I was the first diver in the water, and my heart sank when I saw all the lines wrapped around it," said Moskito, who is a 40-year-old Pleasanton resident working with "Great White Adventures," a cage-diving outfit that contracts with Menigoz. Moskito added, "I really didn't think we were going to be able to save it."

The ropes that kept the whale trapped were really heavy and wrapped completely around the whale. The news outlet reported that Moskito said that the rope was wrapped at least four times around the tail, the back and the left front flipper, and there was even a line in the whale's mouth. Moreover, the lines of the rope were cinched so tight that the rope was digging into the animal's blubber and leaving visible cuts.

Moskito, with the help of a team of divers, slowly cut the ropes in an effort to free the whale, and while doing so, the whale floated passively in the water the whole time and gave off a strange kind of vibration according to Moskito.

"When I was cutting the line going through the mouth, its eye was there winking at me, watching me," Moskito told the Chronicle. "It was an epic moment of my life." 

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The fishermen took their time until they freed the whale from the ropes. When the whale realized that it was free, its body language showed that it was extremely grateful and happy. "It seemed kind of affectionate, like a dog that's happy to see you," Moskito said. "I never felt threatened. It was an amazing, unbelievable experience."

The whale also slowly swam around the fishermen as a sign of appreciation before going back underwater.

"It felt to me like it was thanking us, knowing that it was free and that we had helped it," Moskito told reporters. "It stopped about a foot away from me, pushed me around a little bit, and had some fun."

Menigoz also added his own take to it as he said, "You hate to anthropomorphize too much, but the whale was doing little dives and the guys were rubbing shoulders with it. I don't know for sure what it was thinking, but it's something that I will always remember. It was just too cool."

According to Shelbi Stoudt, stranding manager for the Marine Mammal Center in Marin County, this rescue was the first time that efforts to free an entangled humpback were successful. It was a risky thing to do, but ultimately, it was the right thing as well because the whale was freed and could continue with its life.

Stoudt also told the news outlet that most humpback whales don't like to interact with humans, "You do hear reports of friendly humpbacks, whales approaching boaters, especially in Baja California but, for the most part, they don't like to be interacted with."

What did you think of this amazing story? If you loved hearing about it, be sure to tell your friends about it and let us know what you think about the whale's gesture of gratitude.