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Humpback Whale Puts On Show For Men Who Saved Her (VIDEO)

The Huffington Post     First Posted: 07/14/11 06:40 PM ET   Updated: 09/13/11 06:12 AM ET

When Michael Fishbach set out for his day of boating around the beautiful waters of the Sea of Cortez, he probably didn't think that it would be the day he and his friends would become wildlife heroes. As luck would have it, that's exactly what happened.

The group came upon a stranded humpback whale who was so tangled in a mesh of nylon netting that she was beginning to drown, and as Fishbach noted in this video, was possibly an hour from death. The crew worked tirelessly for more than an hour to free the stranded whale and, to their elation, eventually succeeded. Then, magic happened.

For miles on their ride home, the whale put on a beautiful show -- perhaps to say "thank you" to her rescuers?

Fishbach has co-founded The Great Whale Conservancy to help protect whales. This week, the Associated Press reported that the International Whaling Commission held their annual talks to discuss the large dispute between anti-whaling nations and the handful of countries who hunt whales, despite a 1986 moratorium.

This isn't the first time that a whale has put on a show in front of humans. Just last month, a group of whale watchers got an unexpected treat when they witnessed a twirling finback whale. Take a break from work and enjoy this hearty slice of human kindness (or jump to 6:40 if you're short on time).


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When Michael Fishbach set out for his day of boating around the beautiful waters of the Sea of Cortez, he probably didn't think that it would be the day he and his friends would become wildlife heroes...
When Michael Fishbach set out for his day of boating around the beautiful waters of the Sea of Cortez, he probably didn't think that it would be the day he and his friends would become wildlife heroes...
 
 
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12:13 AM on 08/21/2011
Great story but please next time no speedo please.
10:37 AM on 08/16/2011
Wonderful story, with an incidental lesson: every grown human should carry at least a small knife.
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tonygumbrell
retired working stiff
10:37 AM on 08/08/2011
Tons of good karma!
10:02 AM on 08/07/2011
Thank you for sharing this very moving video.
10:03 AM on 08/05/2011
Outstanding, Job well done. The little girl said it all, the whale is happy it's free. Just watching the video shows the intelligence, self awareness, & understanding these incrediable animals posess. That made my morning.....
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02:35 AM on 08/03/2011
What a great film a great showing of man saving beast with a happy ending loved it..
08:52 AM on 08/02/2011
wonderful video.
09:48 AM on 07/31/2011
Wonderful! It is so good to see that there are still great people in the world to save voiceless animals and it is so obvious the whale appreciated their help.
07:32 PM on 07/29/2011
I just had a bad week at work but after watching this video it made me smile and forget my worries for a bit ;) thank you!
06:36 PM on 07/29/2011
That is one of the most amazing videos I have ever seen. Thank you to the wonderful people on that boat who took the time to save this obviously grateful mammal. It brought me to tears. Thank you for sharing and caring. I wish that more people in this world had such compassion for humans and animals alike. Truly inspiring.
02:52 PM on 07/29/2011
I cried so much at the start of the video. It was horrible to see such a beautiful creature at deaths door. I think it was amazing that she knew that those people were there to help and not harm. I then couldn't quit crying when I saw the obvious joy of the whale. What an incredible video, wow! It is honestly one of the most beautiful things I have seen, that whale so happy to be alive and showing it to all who would see. Thank you for sharing.
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Daryl Pienta
Not a fan of the far righ...errr. wrong wing
02:23 PM on 07/29/2011
A wonderful feel good story
01:35 PM on 07/29/2011
Incredible story. Many thanks to Michael Fishbach and his crew for saving this amazing whale. There is no doubt that she was saying thank you in the best way that she could.
02:44 AM on 07/25/2011
This is the best video I've seen in years. I cried in the beginning because I could see how distressed Valentina was as she fought so hard to keep from drowning and then I cried more tears at end, but this time, tears of joy. Thank you for your selfless and heroic effort to give this helpless whale who was doomed to die in just a few hours .. God Bless all of you!!! Aloha and Mahalo from Hawai'i.
04:40 PM on 07/23/2011
I haven't sobbed like this for a long time. Bless you people, and bless the animal with the soul to thank.