Spanish divers have managed to rescue a huge 12 meter long and 10 tons whale caught in an illegal drift net off the Balearic Islands of Mallorca!
This is the third time a humpback whale has been reported in the waters around the Balearics.
During the rescue, one of the divers, Gigi Torras, described to Reuters that it was “It was like out of this world, it was incredible, just incredible.” He added that this was the “best ever” birthday present for her.
The distressed whale was spotted by a ship traveling about three miles (4.83 km) from the island of Mallorca. They then called the Palma de Mallorca Aquarium marine rescue center. At that time, this whale was entangled in a crimson net, unable to even open its mouth.
They arrived in a boat and started to cut the net, but the initial efforts failed. But divers from the Albatros and Skualo Dive Centers joined the effort, diving into the water for a harrowing 45-minute operation to remove the net with their knives.
“The first ten seconds she got a bit nervous, you know, like bubbles everywhere, but then I don’t know, call me crazy but I think she knew we were there to help her and she just relaxed and we started working from the front of her mouth backwards and we started working from the front to the back of her mouth.” said Torras, who owns the albatrol dive center.
“We kept cutting and cutting and she moved a little bit to get out of it,” Torras said.
The animal remained with the four divers for some time, regaining her depleted strength and also offered a “sign of thanks” before swimming away.
The United Nations banned these drift nets 30 years ago. That’s because they catch a large number of other marine animals in addition to the fish they intend to catch.
According to, Kingdomstv
(Photo right to original owner)
