How a humpback whale protected a biologist from a shark
In short: In the waters off the Cook Islands, marine biologist Nan Hauser experienced a life-changing encounter when a massive humpback whale intervened to shield her from a shark during a tense ten-minute interaction.
While swimming in the Cook Islands, Nan Hauser was approached by a humpback whale weighing approximately 50,000 pounds (22,700 kilograms). Using its huge head, the whale hoisted her above the waves, initiating a ten-minute encounter involving nudging, belly bumps, and pectoral fin swipes.
Hauser believes this unusual behavior was a protective measure against a shark. This encounter is part of the BBC Earth series 'Close Encounters: Birth of a Colony', which explores how rare animal interactions can fundamentally change human lives.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: A Whale Saved My Life | Close Encounters | BBC Earth
- Also: This Humpback Whale Saved a Woman
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