Group of fishermen rescue a battered and bloody whale that has become wedged between rocks.
The giant sea mammal, a Bryde’s whale, was spotted as it thrashed against the rocky shoreline at Praia Grande, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil.
The hard-to-watch video footage, recorded on 26th February, shows the whale swimming into a rocky cove and repeatedly dashing itself against the rocks.
It ends up trapped and bleeding heavily from its snout as it repeatedly rams into the razor-sharp rocky outcrops in a narrow channel.
The stricken sea beast is spotted almost immediately by fishermen who immediately leap into the water to try to move it to safety.
As one lowers a long plank to protect the whale’s nose from the rocks, others leap into their fishing boat and row towards it.
Then, some brave rescuers jump onto the sea just a few feet from the whale’s giant thrashing tail that could have killed them with just a single swipe.
As the fishermen in the boat throw out a line which the swimmers tie around the whale’s tail, it is slowly pulled backwards out of the cove towards the open sea.
But just moments from freedom, it turns back and dashes itself on another stretch of rocky coast before it is manhandled and pulled back into deeper water.
Finally, the whale is released and swims out into the South Atlantic Ocean, where it ducks under fishing nets and heads out to sea.
The extraordinary footage was filmed by Marcelo Gah, of the Mar de Baleias Project, from the Municipal Foundation for the Environment, Research, Science, Technology, Sport and Leisure.
Arraial do Cabo City Hall told local media that rescuers used fishing techniques to free the whale until it managed to find its way back to open sea.
They explained: “Although it suffered significant injuries, hope remains for the recovery of this resilient animal.”
The foundation warned people to report any stranded animal to experts.
They said: “We ask neighbouring cities and bathers to be alert for injured animals, reporting immediately to the competent authorities.
“The incident had a positive outcome, but we warn of the possible consequences.
“When you see stranded animals, please contact the competent authorities immediately and avoid approaching them, as trying to help the animal could put both of you at greater risk.”
Bryde’s whales travel every year to their breeding grounds on the Brazilian coast and are found in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans.
To find out more about the author, editor or agency that supplied this story – please click below. Story By: Marija Stojkoska, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency: Newsflash
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