Curious southern right whale nudges paddleboarder in Argentina - video

[Judi Lynn]

Source: AP

Thu 2 Sep 2021 01.18 EDT

- video at link -

A rare encounter was caught on video at Puerto Madryn, Argentina when a southern rIght whale seemingly plays with a woman on a paddleboard and pushes the board gently forward, observing its movement as it swims directly beneath it.

"They are rare moments, it is something that is prohibited," said Oscar Comes, a local water-sports tourism operator. "It isn't like you can go in a kayak, standup board, a boat, or whatever, to look for the animal."

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/video/2021/sep/02/curious-southern-right-whale-nudges-paddleboarder-in-argentina-video

Also posted in Environment and energy:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1127147552

[cate94]

1. As cool as that is

I’d be scared shitless.

[Judi Lynn]

2. By all means! It was astonishing, and overwhelming to see the whale was so incredibly gentle.

That looked like proof of real intelligence, and awareness from the enormous right whale. It may have been life-altering for the woman, I have no doubt!