Whale freed thanks its rescuers (Pic: Youtube)
This is the astonishing moment when a whale which had been freed from a net “thanked” its rescuers with a breathtaking display of leaps and dives.
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The dramatic rescue – all caught on camera – unfolded in the Gulf of California after a team of whale watchers got a closer than anticipated look at the stranded humpback.
Snorkelling below the surface, Michael Fishbach began to cut the net as the giant seemed to moan for help.
Whale freed thanks its rescuers (Pic: Youtube)
Rescuers try to help the whale
Whale freed thanks its rescuers (Pic: Youtube)
Snorkeller gets a closer look
“As I swam alongside our eyes met,” he said. “I was a bit scared because I knew the whale was frightened and fatigued but could still kill me.” But just an hour later, the whale began its bid for freedom – towing the tiny boat before breaking loose.
And to show its gratitude, it treated them to an hour-long show of towering leaps and thunderous tail flops.
On the video a small girl can be heard saying: “I know what she is doing, Mummy. She is showing us that she is free. I think she is showing us a thank you dance.”
The video has become a YouTube hit, counting US country music star Taylor Swift among its fans.