Surfer survives being hit by whale

Whale watching from canoe

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”.