A Whale Saved A Diver From A Shark Attack!

By Kushani Gunathilaka
May 20, 2024
10:50 GMT-0830
A Whale Saved A Diver From A Shark Attack

Nan Hauser, a marine biologist had an encounter with a humpback whale turned into a dramatic life-saving event. Hauser was snorkeling and diving with Whales in the Cook Islands when something unexpected took place. A 25-ton humpback whale kept pushing a Hauser to safety and She had no idea why the whale would do such a thing.  The whale kept her under her fin and waited until she got safely on the boat. Apparently, it was saving her from a 15ft tiger shark and it was caught on Camera. Let’s have a look.

A Life-Saving Encounter

In the serene waters off Rarotonga, in the Cook Islands, Nan Hauser experienced something extraordinary. While snorkeling, a massive 25-ton humpback whale intervened just as a 15-foot tiger shark lurked nearby. The whale displayed what some might call a protective instinct, ensuring Hauser’s safety. 

It tucked the 63-year-old, under its giant pectoral fin and nudged her forward with its head and mouth. The whale even lifted her out of the water on its back. For about 10 minutes, this gentle giant directed Hauser away from the danger she was unaware of.

Hauser, reflecting on the incident, said, “I was prepared to lose my life. I thought he was going to hit me and break my bones.” This captures the intensity of the moment and the uncertainty she felt as the whale persistently moved her through the water.

As I was approaching, one of the male humpbacks came right up to me, nuzzling me with his head and pushing me through the water. It caught me off-guard – in 33 years of doing this work, this had never happened. I put my arm out and tried to push myself away while he attempted to tuck me under his pectoral fin. Then the whale swam underneath me and lifted me out of the water on his flipper. I signaled to the boat, then – swoosh – I was pushed back under.”

Naur Hauser. 

Nan Hauser: A Lifetime With Whales

Nan Hauser isn’t just any snorkeler; she’s a seasoned marine biologist with 28 years of experience studying and diving with whales. She serves as the president and director of the Center for Cetacean Research and Conservation. Her work has led her to deep connections with these marine giants. But her encounter in the Cook Islands was unlike anything she had experienced before. 

“I yelled out to the boat but, before I knew it, the whale had positioned me on the front of his head and was gracefully racing through the water… Within 10 minutes, he had safely returned me to the boat and out of the shark’s way. When she finally made it out of the water and up onto her boat—bruised and scratched from the barnacles on the whale—Hauser saw a third tail moving from side to side. I felt love, concern, and care from the whale. I told him that I loved him and thanked him as he swam off.”

Naur Hauser
A Whale Saved A Diver From A Shark Attack
Image search: New York Post

Conclusion

Hauser’s incredible story isn’t just a tale of personal survival; it sheds light on the complex behaviors of humpback whales and their interactions with humans. Reflecting on her experience, Hauser felt a profound sense of love and gratitude towards the whale, a feeling that echoes the respect and awe that nature commands. This event not only adds to our understanding of marine biology but also serves as a poignant reminder of our responsibility toward environmental conservation and the ethical treatment of wildlife.

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