Whale researchers have quite an interesting job! There are over 90 different species of whale and they are ALL very smart and reclusive. Still, that doesn’t stop us, humans, from being incredibly interested in them to the point that “what watching” can be done at nearly any coast in the world!
Searching for whales doesn’t always result in a sighting, but other times, it gives you a WHOLE lot more than you bargained for.
For one research crew in British Columbia, searching for whales is part of their day-to-day tasks. The whale-watching duo is from Hartley Bay and has seen some interesting things over their years on the water. Few things surprise them anymore, but one recent interaction was so incredible it’s now all over the news.
Nicole Robinson and her partner were out on the water when they saw a local whale swimming towards them.
It was a humpback whale and one they knew! Since they have been in the area so long, identifying the whales isn’t hard for the ones that are regulars in their location. They decided to turn the engine off and drift towards the whale to get a closer look.
When the whale knew it was safe to approach, approach he did!
The incredibly massive animal was next to the boat for nearly a half-hour, something incredibly rare!
“I was quite shocked. You could see his pecks on both sides and him pushing,” – Robinson
Soon, the whale started bobbing it’s head in and out of the water on either side of the boat.
It was strange behavior and they soon realized that the boat was being lifted out of the water! The bow started to bob up and down and was soon being lifted out of the water. Then, the whale positioned itself under the boat and started to lift.
Putting itself under the hull of the boat, the multi-ton animal lifted the researchers on its back!
It wasn’t over, either! Once the boat was lifted out of the water enough to rest on the whale’s back, it started swimming!
“This I’ve never seen before,” said Robinson
This was unprecedented behavior.
“In one part of the video I was trying to focus on the back of the boat to show the wake behind us, (to show) that he was actually pulling us,” – CTV News
Gently towing the boat for a few minutes, the whale then let them go and drifted away.
Like a specter from the sea, the whale was there and gone again. It took Robinson and her partner for a little ride around only to drop them off and submerge back under the water again! It was an amazing (and gentle) experience for everyone involved.
They aren’t sure why the whale did what it did, but it’s smart enough that it might of just been having fun!
“Whales and dolphins behave in ways that suggest intelligence and a sophisticated mind. Not only do they learn as individuals, but as individuals that can pass their knowledge onto others.” – Whales.org
Regardless of the reason, it was a wonderful moment for the researchers. Even more, they were able to get a video of it on their cell phone!
Check it out below!
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