Whale celebrates the freedom of its friend cut free from lobster nets with incredible leap by hero fishermen's boat
The mouth of the Bay of Fundy, two miles off the coast of Long Island in Nova Scotia, is one of the best places in the world to see several different species of whales, including finbacks, minkes, the very rare North Atlantic right whale and humpbacks.
Recently Christine Callaghan, a guide with a whale-watching cruiser in the region, captured some stunning images of two humpback whales. One of the whales, a female humpback known as Foggy had become ensnared in ropes from old lobster pots in the Bay of Fundy. Foggy, described by Christine as a 'Fundy favourite', was born in 1987 to a whale named Bermuda.
Poor Fundy had rope wrapped around her head and across her blowholes and peduncle - the narrow part of her tail, just ahead of the flukes. All of this was causing her to list to one side with the weight of all the gear. Through it all was another humpback whale, known as Grommet, who remained faithfully by her side.
A boat, the Shearwater, from the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown, happened to be in the Bay and came to offer assistance to the entrapped female whale. They were able to do an initial survey and radio through details to the Fast Response Craft that was speeding to the scene.
The Campobello Whale Rescue Team used specialist equipment to cut the rope snagging Foggy's tail, and then the ones around her head. They decided to leave a single strand in her mouth, fearing they would cause excessive bleeding if they dragged it out, and figuring that she would likely be able to rid herself of it.
The instant Foggy was freed, her whale friend, Grommet, dove down and then burst from the water in a spectacular celebratory breach. Grommet breached next to the rescuer's boat in an amazing display of thanks. According to Christine; "The timing, immediately after the ropes were cut completely freeing Foggy, and the fact that it was Foggy's 'friend' that breached, was so touching to me."
She went onto to say, "Knowing how intelligent these animals are, and having observed Grommet's steadfast, seemingly protective companionship of Foggy those several hours while we waited with them for the rescue boat, I personally interpreted that breach as an act of joy and celebration that her pal was out of danger. Everyone on the boat felt a huge sense that we had just witnessed something wonderful."
As the two whales swam away, everyone watching was left with a smile on their face. It was the end of a good day.
The mouth of the Bay of Fundy, two miles off the coast of Long Island in Nova Scotia, is one of the best places in the world to see several different species of whales, including finbacks, minkes, the very rare North Atlantic right whale and humpbacks.
Recently Christine Callaghan, a guide with a whale-watching cruiser in the region, captured some stunning images of two humpback whales. One of the whales, a female humpback known as Foggy had become ensnared in ropes from old lobster pots in the Bay of Fundy. Foggy, described by Christine as a 'Fundy favourite', was born in 1987 to a whale named Bermuda.
Poor Fundy had rope wrapped around her head and across her blowholes and peduncle - the narrow part of her tail, just ahead of the flukes. All of this was causing her to list to one side with the weight of all the gear. Through it all was another humpback whale, known as Grommet, who remained faithfully by her side.
A boat, the Shearwater, from the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown, happened to be in the Bay and came to offer assistance to the entrapped female whale. They were able to do an initial survey and radio through details to the Fast Response Craft that was speeding to the scene.
The Campobello Whale Rescue Team used specialist equipment to cut the rope snagging Foggy's tail, and then the ones around her head. They decided to leave a single strand in her mouth, fearing they would cause excessive bleeding if they dragged it out, and figuring that she would likely be able to rid herself of it.
The instant Foggy was freed, her whale friend, Grommet, dove down and then burst from the water in a spectacular celebratory breach. Grommet breached next to the rescuer's boat in an amazing display of thanks. According to Christine; "The timing, immediately after the ropes were cut completely freeing Foggy, and the fact that it was Foggy's 'friend' that breached, was so touching to me."
She went onto to say, "Knowing how intelligent these animals are, and having observed Grommet's steadfast, seemingly protective companionship of Foggy those several hours while we waited with them for the rescue boat, I personally interpreted that breach as an act of joy and celebration that her pal was out of danger. Everyone on the boat felt a huge sense that we had just witnessed something wonderful."
As the two whales swam away, everyone watching was left with a smile on their face. It was the end of a good day.
I am so impressed with some peoples never ending love for animals. Good on you for helping out these animals in their time of need. Bless you!
Very moving story. God bless the rescue people!
~Awesome~
Thank you for all you do<3
Thank you for all you do<3
what's a lobster net? i thought lobsters were caught in pots - surely a wahle never got in one ; did it?
Theodoros. The ropes are attached to the pots, so that fishermen can retrieve them from the ocean.
Question. Was the friend a male or a female? The headline says the friend was a male, but below the photos the reference is to a female. Which is it?
Wow what an act of love for animals may the good lord watch over you and your family *GOD BLESS YOU ALL* all of you♥
I love whales I have a ceramic well collection. I think that is just fantastic that they saved that animals life
Thank you !!!
A selfless act of kindness.You saved her life