How to Make a Whale Happy

[delmarrey]

It's a promo for whale groups but still neat to watch.

Humpback Whale Gives Show After Being Saved

[Dame.n.Jess]

Thats pretty cool. Its a special feeling when you can do something that an animal/mammal etc knows is there only option. On a small scale a couple of weeks back I pulled a parrot out of the water after it was attacked in mid air, it was floating but was getting very tired and drifting away from land. I got it out and dried it off as best as I could, and got it back up into the trees away from predators.

then about a fortnight ago i was walking in a national park and found a family of possums that had got stuck in a wheelie type rubbish bin. so we got them out and into the trees also.

I like animals

Damien

[deckofficer]

That was amazing. I have always thought the whale was quite smart and that sure drives the point home.

[sarafina]

I always wonder what they think of *us*...

[deckofficer]

Originally Posted by sarafina

I always wonder what they think of *us*...

If your Japanese, probably not much.

[delmarrey]

And more weird sightings............

Science Bulletins: Whales Give Dolphins a Lift - YouTube

[boatman61]

Thanks Del.... pretty damn neat...
But there is a lot that goes on out there that surprises...
One trip I was drifting along in light airs and flat sea and approaching a couple of Boobies sitting out the afternoon sun when a young dolphin swam up and started splashing them with his tail...
I expected them to take off in fright... but no... they just sat there... the dolphin then jumped over them... repeatedly... and continued the occasional splash...
The two birds just kept sitting there with an occassional little paddle to one side or another.... and the occasional bird grumble and flap of wings...
Look like a kid teasing two grumpy elderly aunts...
Brilliant...

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by deckofficer

If your Japanese, probably not much.

I believe the video was in Mex, so in this case it would have been ............

[HappySeagull]

...just remember that when rescuing a critter, they usually interpret your help as the end of a very bad day...ie: you are a kind of jackal finishing them off.

[deckofficer]

Originally Posted by HappySeagull

...just remember that when rescuing a critter, they usually interpret your help as the end of a very bad day...ie: you are a kind of jackal finishing them off.

That is what I thought was so amazing, your scenario being true most all the time, but I really believe in the whale's case, he knew these humans were his benefactors, and behaved in such a way as to help facilitate their work, and the "show" afterwards was "thanks, humans".

At least that is the story I like best, so I'm sticking to it.

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by deckofficer

That is what I thought was so amazing, your scenario being true most all the time, but I really believe in the whale's case, he knew these humans were his benefactors, and behaved in such a way as to help facilitate their work, and the "show" afterwards was "thanks, humans".

At least that is the story I like best, so I'm sticking to it.

Personally, I think the half naked diver going in the water and looking the whale in the eye gave the whale reassurance that it wasn't aggression in the human's mind.

[senormechanico]

Originally Posted by HappySeagull

...just remember that when rescuing a critter, they usually interpret your help as the end of a very bad day...ie: you are a kind of jackal finishing them off.

While cruising Mexico, we often caught Dorado by dragging a plastic squid on a line connected to a lifeline stanchion.
Several times we caught Boobies, and released them, but they'd fight the whole procedure.
While drifting along at about 2 knots, we caught a Pelican.
When we stopped the boat and slowly reeled him in, he didn't put up any resistance at all.
We dropped the boarding ladder, picked him up and lifted him into the cockpit.
Then we removed the hook from his pouch and put him back in the water.
He just sat there with an embarrassed look as if to say, "Please don't tell anyone about this!"

[rubyjean]

sailing down the west coast last summer, we were followed by Blue Whales from Cape Mendoncino to Bodega Bay. Made me very nervous as they would not stay away. If we would change course they would too. I was afraid they would swim under the boat and maybe damage the rudder or worse. I think they just wanted to play. Was heaved too off Bodega at the weather bouy waiting for daylight to make our approch, when we were in the middle of the pod, cows balling one side and calves the other. This was tense and nerve racking, only for an hour before daylight. That's my Whale story.......Michael..

[SaucySailoress]

That is an awesome video, delmarrey, thanks for sharing

[HappySeagull]

Originally Posted by deckofficer

That is what I thought was so amazing, your scenario being true most all the time, but I really believe in the whale's case, he knew these humans were his benefactors, and behaved in such a way as to help facilitate their work, and the "show" afterwards was "thanks, humans".

At least that is the story I like best, so I'm sticking to it.

...Whales, porpoises, bears, dogs, rats and birds can exhibit behaviour that isn't included in my simple caution...
a good Doctor Doolittle uses body language as much or more than noises. It'd be good to know what this is for whales...If it motivates help to think that the critter is grateful, that's nice. But consider that that tangled whale is tangled in crab pots and has likely been shot at by the fishermen. It might have just been confusion at such a weird sum experience...."first the watermonkeys kill me, then they want their ropes and buoys back...I'm so damn glad to be free-but I'll take evasive action now by leaping and threatening! " is as likely.

I've several reliable reports of saved hummingbirds returning a year later, land and just sitting beside their rescuer as though.... but I'm as happy to believe it was just the treats they knew you might produce as to believe they are "grateful".


What do I look like to them? is the real question. And if you knew why you are thinking what you are thinking, you would not be suprised by what your cat is "thinking".


Don't let them peck or scratch your eyes when you are trying to help. Put gloves on,glasses, and get a big towel over them as soon as possible- don't just rush in.