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The Whale

ATFATF Member Posts: 11,683 ✭✭✭
edited May 2006 in General Discussion
The Whale

Snopes says this is TRUE.


If you read the front page story of the SF Chronicle,
you would have read about a female humpback whale
who had become entangled in a spider web of crab traps
and lines.

She was weighted down by hundreds of pounds of traps that caused
her to struggle to stay afloat. She also had hundreds 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 FarraloneIslands
(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 rescuer.



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 gently around-she thanked them. Some said 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.


May you, and all those you love,
be so blessed and fortunate ...
to be surrounded by people
who will help you get untangled
from the things that are binding you.

And, may you always know the joy
of giving and receiving gratitude.


I pass this on to you, my friend, in the same spirit.

Comments

  • p3skykingp3skyking Member Posts: 23,916 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Whales were once land mammals and are still warm blooded creatures. They know kindness and gratitude just like people do.
    Nice story.
  • scottm21166scottm21166 Member Posts: 20,723
    edited November -1
    Nice story...don't even need snopes to tell me its true....Ive seen them in action
    whales and dolpines are some of the most intelligent creatures on earth the have language customs and families. work cooperatively and play gleefully and defend their young valliently....
  • peabopeabo Member Posts: 3,098
    edited November -1
    Thanks, ATF. As usual, another great post !!


    Thanks---Peabo
  • nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,085 ******
    edited November -1
    The first time I saw whales up close, and it was at Sea World, I got a shiver up my spine. I would love to see them in their element.

    A great story. I don't doubt it a bit.
  • pickenuppickenup Member Posts: 22,844 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
  • HAIRYHAIRY Member Posts: 23,606
    edited November -1
    Thanks; great story.
  • bartobarto Member Posts: 4,734 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    When one surfaces 20-30' from your boat believe me it'll make your ol ticker click.
    [^]barto[^]
  • KSUmarksmanKSUmarksman Member Posts: 10,705 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Whales (as well as dolphins) are pretty amazing animals. They go to great lengths to protect other members of their own pod and dolphins were even known to save human swimmers who were in trouble. Not too long ago there was a story about a pod of dolphins surrounding a small group of swimmers (off New Zealand I think) and circled them to keep a great white at bay.

    It is logical to think that animals who are that intelligent must have some kind of "phrase" (for lack of a better word, not only audible but includes * language) for "thanks, mac, you saved my bacon". I guess the rescue divers got to see what that sing is [:D]


    I only saw non-captive cetacians once, I was sailing in Hawaii. (aboard the Irving Johnson, so yes it was actually SAILING and not taking a cruise) http://www.lamitopsail.org/fleet/irving.asp
    Anyway, I saw several humpbacks, including a mother and calf. Most were in open waters and doing the jump they are so well kown for but the mother and calf were close to shore, maybe half a click off the Maui coastline. I was also lucky enough to be out on the bowsprit when a pod of dolphins came up and started swimming in front of the bow. They are magnificent creatures, quite a sight for a guy who's been pretty much landlocked for most of his life.
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