Wildlife

Whale stays to say thank you

A whale rescued from being entangled off the Cape coast, South Africa, did the most extraordinary thing moments later… the animal swam up to the volunteers, rested its head on the boat, and stayed there for 20 minutes.

Before its rescue, the 9m-long adult male Humpback had been entangled in rope and floatation buoys in the area of Rocky Banks, offshore at Cape Point, said NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon.

Once all ropes and the floatation buoy were removed, in a most incredible reaction from the animal, the whale swam right up alongside the sea rescue craft, almost hugging the rescue boat (all motors had been switched off) and he gently placed his head on the gunnel of the sea rescue craft. The whale remained there for almost 20 minutes seemingly staring at his rescuers.