What a story- a whale of a tale... this was so heartwarming...

@shambuca (2524)
United States
March 2, 2007 9:06am CST
Thought this was a wonderful story, so had to share. a female humpback whale had become entangled in a spider web of crab traps and lines. She was weighted down by 100s of pounds of traps that caused her to struggle to stay afloat. She had 100s of yards of line (rope) wrapped around her body - her tail, her torso, a line tugging in her mouth. A fisherman spotted her just east of the Farralone Islands (outside the Golden Gate) and radioed an environmental group for help. Within a few hours the rescue team arrived and determined that she was so bad off, the only way to save her was to dive in and untangle her - a very dangerous proposition; One slap of the tail could kill a few rescuers. They worked for hours with curved knives and eventually freed her. When she was free, the divers say she swam in what seemed like joyous circles. She then came back to each and every diver, one at a time, and nudged them, pushed them gently around - she thanked them... some say it was the most incredibly beautiful experience of their lives. The guy who cut the rope out of her mouth says her eye was following him the whole time, and he will never be the same.
4 people like this
7 responses
@tad1fan (3367)
• Canada
2 Mar 07
This is nice!I love stories that have to do with animals,especially our life in the ocean.....there are so many misconcepted animals out there and if give the chance,they'd probably make better friends than people
@shambuca (2524)
• United States
2 Mar 07
i always believed that too.
@wolfie34 (26770)
• United Kingdom
2 Mar 07
Wow, that is incredible, I just wished I had been there to see, truly a beautiful meet between animal and humans. You hear so many times of tragic sad deaths of animals that get entangled in nets or are found beached on shores. How wonderful that this story had a happy ending, until you experience this sort of thing yourself you do not know just how wonderful it truly was for everyone involved. I can well understand that it affected them all. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful heart-warming tale. There are good people in the world and such a wonderful creature is free!
1 person likes this
@shambuca (2524)
• United States
2 Mar 07
I'm glad you liked it-- it made me cry I thought it was so great!
@gabs8513 (48684)
• United Kingdom
4 Mar 07
Wow what a lovely Story and what a heartwarming gesture of these People to. As you say it was a risk to take and they took it to free her. They certainly deserved the thank you of the Animal and I bet that was some experience one that no one would ever forget. To me that is an experience of a Lifetime.
1 person likes this
@lauriefnp (5109)
• United States
3 Mar 07
You're right, this is truly heartwarming! I'm saving it in my documents folder because it's too precious to delete! I love hearing of animal rescues, and especially of how seemingly dangerous animals respond with so much appreciation and affection when they are treated with the respect that they deserve. I know that it is stupid to be a "daredevil" with dangerous animals, as many in the entertainment business have been, but this is yet another example of the treatment that animals deserve. This whale was obviously smart enough to innately know that these people were there to help her.
1 person likes this
@rosie_123 (6113)
•
3 Mar 07
Thanks you for such a beautiful story, even though it made me cry. The cynical, uncaring, and unfeeling human beings in this world, who think our species are so far superior to others on this planet, should read this, and take note. All living creatures are capable of feelings, and emotions, and as such, should be treated with respect. I am glad that the fishermen helped this beautiful crearure, and that yout story had a happy endeing. Thanks for sharing.
@mummymo (23706)
•
3 Mar 07
What a beautiful story! Really makes you think doesn't it! Thanks for taking the time to pass it on.
1 person likes this
• United States
3 Mar 07
What a great story. Brought me right out of the doldrums I was in. Thank You!
1 person likes this