Amazing Footage Of Humpback Protecting Diver From Shark

Nan Hauser a marine biologist who was snorkelling recently says she was protected by a 50,000-ton humpback whale from a predatory tiger shark. Ms Hauser says she was unwittingly diving in waters being patrolled by a tiger shark whilst she was attempting to interact with the humpback whale of the coast of the Cook Islands. If you watch the footage you will see the whale protectively tucking Ms Hauser underneath it’s pectoral fin, although you will not see the shark.

Never had such an experience before

In an interview with the Daily Mirror, Ms Hauser said she has spend close to three decades underwater with whales and has never experienced a whale behave the way it did.  Ms Hauser says the whale pushed her around for about ten minutes and used its head and mouth to ensure she was never in danger of being attacked by the shark. At one point the whale even lifts Ms Hauser out of the water.

Understanding the threat only after the event

As soon as Ms Hauser spotted the shark she understood what the whale has been doing the entire time and sought to remain calm in order not to startle the humpback. As she climbs back aboard the research boat and into safety, she informs her team about the shark and whale can be seen resurfacing again to check on her.

Humpbacks are known to be altruistic

According to Ms Hauser, there is academic research into humpbacks protecting other species. The whales have been known to hide seals under their pectoral fins to keep them from becoming meals and this altruism is displayed sometimes as the risk of their lives. The video is the first-time footage has been captured of a humpback protecting a human from a shark.