Humpback whales are beautiful and majestic animals. They’re also incredibly large. They’re bigger than the average school bus and can weigh up to 40 tons.
While humpback whales aren’t the largest whales on the planet — that honor goes to blue whales — they’re still incredibly big. They’re far too big for one human to push if they’re stranded on land. But, if a crowd of humans got together, they could maybe just help the animal.
And that’s just what happened when a whale was stranded in Brazil.
On a beach in Praia Rasa, Brazil, beachgoers got the surprise of a lifetime when they spotted a 45-foot humpback whale stranded on the shore. It was still alive, and it was fighting for its life.
The tide had left the ocean-dwelling mammal stranded onshore when it got too close to the shallow waters. The gentle giant was unable to move and didn’t have much time until it was too late.
As soon as the whale was spotted, dozens of people rushed to try and help the beached animal.
They began digging away the sand from beneath the magnificent creature in hopes that seawater would flood through.
The crowd frantically began throwing water on the whale with buckets, trying desperately to keep it alive while they worked hard toward its freedom.
Buckets of water and shovels were flying all around the whale. The entire crowd that had come to help was trying everything they possibly could to help save the beautiful animal. They estimated that the humpback weighed between 10 and 15 tons.
The crowd of rescuers went from dozens to hundreds.
The whale was becoming weaker and weaker as time went by. Something needed to happen. They needed a miracle. Finally, after hours of digging, the high tide came in to assist the whale back to the freedom of the ocean waters.
The final moments of freeing the whale were incredibly special for all those that helped.
As the whale slowly swims away, the crowd that has gathered at this point was lining the beach in total awe. The full rescue was caught on amateur cameras through spectators’ phones, but the moment is still incredible to witness.
The video of this whale rescue went viral, and commenters were touched by the dedication the rescuers showed to saving the whale. One commenter said:
“Bravo bravo bravo this is the real humanity at work.”
Another added:
“Great People! awesome!! complete village are Heros!”
We’re so glad this whale survived, and it’s incredible to watch this group of people come together to save a helpless animal. What a wonderful moment.
Check out the rescue video below!
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