The hypnotizing footage was filmed in the waters off Muri Beach, Rarotonga, of the Cook Islands in the South Pacific.
Whale biologist Nan Hauser said that it was proof of the animal’s intuitive protective nature
Whale biologist Nan Hauser said that it was proof of the animal’s intuitive protective nature
The pictures of Nan Hauser, 63, show how the massive sea creature pushed the whale biologist with his head and his mouth, then tucked her under its pectoral fin and even lifted her out of the water on one occasion.
Nan says that out of shot, another whale was using his tail and slapping the water to divert the shark away, she told the Mirror.
She said to the Daily Mirror: "I wasn’t sure what the whale was up to when he approached me, and it didn’t stop pushing me around for over 10 minutes."
"Scientists have seen cases of whales protecting other species but this will be the first documented case where they've actually protected humans from a shark."
The cameraman had never filmed whales before, so didn't know just how unique this behavior actually was.
On Nan's nearby research vessel, however, her team was concerned for her safety, abandoning their drone footage because, as Nan said, they "did not want to film my death."
"They hide seals under their pectoral fins to protect them from killer whales."
This is the first documented case where a humpback whale has protected a human from a huge tiger shark, Nan said.
"Other fishermen and divers have seen this same shark nearby the reef and say that it is as big as a pickup truck.
"It's funny how the tables are turned here: I've spent the past 28 years protecting whales, and in the moment, I didn't even realize that they were protecting me!"