Whale Rescues

Whale saves drowning diver

By STAFF REPORTER

Published: 30 Jul 2009

W-HAIL the rescuer.

A beluga whale saved a drowning diver by hoisting her to the surface, carrying her leg in its mouth.

Grateful ... Yang Yun returns to surface of the
aquarium after her dramatic rescue

CEN/Europics

Terrified Yang Yun thought she was going to die when her legs were paralysed by crippling cramps in arctic temperatures.

Sensitive ... Beluga whale

She had been taking part in a free diving contest WITHOUT any breathing equipment.

Competitors had to sink to the bottom of an aquarium's 20ft arctic pool and stay there for as long as possible amid the beluga whales at Polar Land in Harbin, north east China.

But when Yun, 26, tried to head to the surface she struggled to move her legs.

Terrified ... Yang Yun dangles helplessly

CEN/Europics

Lucky Yun said: "I began to choke and sank even lower and I thought that was it for me - I was dead. Until I felt this incredible force under me driving me to the surface."

Beluga whale Mila had spotted her difficulties and using her sensitive dolphin-like nose guided Yun safely to the surface.

An organiser said: "Mila noticed the problem before we did.

Sea rescue ... Mila pushes diver to surface

"We suddenly saw the girl being pushed to the top of the pool with her leg in Mila's mouth.

"She's a sensitive animal who works closely with humans and I think this girl owes her, her life."

Another whale rescue

High Five with a Humpback Whale

Diver's extraordinary encounter with 50ft humpback whale

By ANNA SHANKS - Wednesday, August 19, 2009

This is the unbelievable moment a diver came face to face with a 50ft female humpback whale, as she swam in the South Pacific.

Cameraman Marco Queral, who has dedicated the last 17 years of his life to ocean photography, looked awe inspiringly small, as he dived along side one of great giants of our seas.

Give me five! The whale dwarfs the diver

At 50ft, this particular whale is nearing the largest of it's kind, but humble Marco says moments like these are in fact down to the mammals themselves.

"They are extremely intelligent. Just like humans they have their own mind and come with strong personalities.”

“They decide whether I can take pictures of them or not. They must be in a right mood to let me get into this position."

Water taxi: Diver looks to hitch a lift on its giant fin

The 42-year-old has clearly developed a unique bond, filtering his love of marine life into these fascinating and some what quirky shots. The peaceful scene and crystal blue seas, easily leave one forgetting the immediate danger Queral was placed under, in order to achieve these startling picture frames.

Marco gets up close with his big friend

Miraculously, the South American has the amazing ability to overcome any natural fears, believing the Humpback whales “are usually more shy and cautious toward humans” and “gentle by nature”.

Crocodile Crazy

Crocodile crazy: The man who enjoys giving his dangerous 'companion' kisses and cuddles

ByDAILY MAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 12:39 PM on 17th August 2009

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Known as the 'Crocodile Man', Costa Rican animal lover 'Chito' swims, plays and even feeds 'Pocho' the giant crocodile in what is one of the world's most unlikely friendships.

Wading chest-deep through the green water in a 100 sq/m lake in Siquirres, this bizarre and dangerous spectacle draws tourists from around the world.

Calling quietly for his five metre long 'companion' before thrashing around, lifting his tail and head above the water.

Unlikely friendship: Chito rests on top of buddy Pocho, who he rescued after the crocodile was shot in the eye

'This is a very dangerous routine but Pocho is my friend and we have a good relationship,' says 52-year-old Chito. 'He will look me in the eye and he does not attack me.

'It is too dangerous for anyone else to come in the water. It is only ever the two of us.'

The bizarre friendship began nearly 20 years ago when Chito rescued the 980-pound crocodile after finding him close to death on the shore of the Parismina River, in the Caribbean province of Limsn.

Crazy: Chito plays with Pocho the crocodile, who seems to enjoy the attention

Shot in the left eye by a cattle farmer after preying on a herd of cows, Chito enlisted the help of several friends to load the massive reptile into his boat, Naming him 'Pocho' (meaning strength), the fisherman says he healed the reptile with medicine, food, and, more importantly, lots of care and attention.

'When I found him in the river after he was dying so I put him in my boat and I brought him into my house,' recalls Chito.

'He was very skinny, weighing only around 150 pounds, so I gave him chicken and fish and medicine for six months to help him recover.'

Rolling around: Chito says that if anyone else entered the water it would be deadly

During the recovery process, Chito stayed by Pocho's side, even sleeping with him at night.

'I just wanted him to feel that someone loved him, that not all humans are bad,' Chito says. 'I love all animals, especially ones that have suffered. It meant a lot of sacrifice. I had to be there every day.'

After Chito felt that Pocho had bonded with him, he started to get closer and closer to the animal.

Tourist attraction: It took Chito many years to build his relationship with Pocho to this level

'After 10 years I started to work with him,' he says. 'At first it was slow, slow and I started to play with him a little, touching him a little bit and then slowly doing more. Then I found that when I called his name he would come over to me.'

Today tourists travel from all over the world to see the unusual spectacle.

'I am happy because I rescued him and he is happy with me because he has everything he needs," says Chito.

Video of this photoshoot

Best video of them in action

Angry Ram