A marine biologist has relived the incredible moment she escaped from a shark – thanks to a 50,000-pound humpback whale.
Captured off the coast of the Cook Islands, Nan Hauser’s rescue was even filmed as part of her research.
Her story will now be featured as part of the National Geographic Sharkfest programs, with viewers sinking their teeth into a range of aquatic shows.
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Ironically, the marine biologist was more fearful of the huge whale before her close encounter with the humpback.
“Somehow I always sort of knew, with my job, that I’d probably be killed by a whale. So, I thought is this the day?” the 69-year-old explained to camera crews.
However, there was another danger lurking just beneath the surface, which the scientist had noticed.
“I suddenly realised that the shark is coming up just at me right below,” she recalled, adding: “…this is a serious situation, and I wanted to get out of the water.”
Caught between the 50,000-pound humpback whale and a 15-foot tiger shark, the scientist made a desperate bid to reach the surface.
Trying to avoid the whale’s pectoral fins, the scientist struggled to get away from the approaching predator.
Despite Hauser’s hesitations, though, the humpback turned out to be a gentle giant and even pushed her towards the surface.
The marine biologist then emerged from the sea as she clung to the whale’s head, in total disbelief.
“'I looked and he was right there next to me, protecting me... And I cried,” she recalled, as she shouted to her colleagues for help.
Scrambling onboard, the whale then said a final goodbye, spraying the water from its blowhole before it sank beneath the waves.
Even the marine biologist was confused over the mammal’s behaviour, with the whale treating her like a young calf and protecting her from the predator.
Some have called this behaviour a ‘spillover’, meaning that the humpback may have saved Hauser to assert dominance over the tiger shark.
By doing so, the whale may have ensured the 15-foot shark won’t return when there are young calves present.
However, it hasn’t detracted from the incredible rescue with Hauser still in awe of her humpback protector.
Meanwhile, other whales haven’t been so altruistic - with a group of orcas purposely sinking boats off the coast of Gibraltar.
Whilst no one was injured during the attack, the unusually aggressive behaviour has concerned scientists and sailors in the area.
Saved from a Shark will be shown as part of the annual Sharkfest event on National Geographic WILD on Monday 17th July at 8pm.
Topics: Animals, Weird, Shark, World News
Katherine Sidnell