Giant Whale Follows Diver Around, She Soon Finds Out Why

Published on August 21, 2019
Nan Hauser was an experienced diver and had studied humpback whales for over 30 years. But nothing could have prepared her for what she was about to encounter one fateful day whilst out in the middle of the Pacific ocean.

An Interest In Sea Mammals

Marine biologist Nan Hauser has dedicated most of her life to researching and monitoring marine life, specifically dolphins and whales. She has participated in numerous dives in the Bahamas and the Cook Islands for the past 28 years.

An Interest In Sea Mammals

An Interest In Sea Mammals

One Can Never Anticipate How A Wild Animal Will Behave

No matter how many years she spent studying whales and dolphins, Nan could never have expected what she encountered whilst out on a dive. These creatures are wild and you can never be 100 percent sure of how they’ll behave.

ADVERTISEMENT
One Can Never Anticipate How A Wild Animal Will Behave

One Can Never Anticipate How A Wild Animal Will Behave

ADVERTISEMENT

Be Prepared For Anything

For that reason, she knew that these enormous creatures could be unpredictable and dangerous. When you’re a diver you need to be ready for anything unexpected because being caught off guard out at sea can be very dangerous and life-threatening.

ADVERTISEMENT
Be Prepared For Anything

Be Prepared For Anything

ADVERTISEMENT

An Encounter Like No Other

Nan has been involved in creating a safe environment for whales in the South Pacific. Whilst on an expedition, she had a shocking encounter that she never expected. No other diver has ever had an experience like this before.

ADVERTISEMENT
An Encounter Like No Other

An Encounter Like No Other

ADVERTISEMENT

Respected Member Of The Marine Life Community

Hauser is renowned in the marine life community for her work with whales. She has been featured on the Discovery Channel, National Geographic, and Animal Planet. Rarotonga is her home, and it’s where she conducts most of her studies.

ADVERTISEMENT
Respected Member Of The Marine Life Community

Respected Member Of The Marine Life Community

ADVERTISEMENT

The Cook Islands

The Cook Islands are made up of 15 small islands, with Rarotonga being the biggest. With such a diverse variety of sea life, they’re home to 600 fish species, 16 types of sharks, and 21 species of whales and dolphins.

ADVERTISEMENT
The Cook Islands

The Cook Islands

ADVERTISEMENT

The Documentation

In addition to spending time in the Cook Islands for research purposes, Hauser was also planning on capturing a nature film during this expedition. This is why when she and her diving companion began their journey, they had the appropriate cameras for documenting the whole ordeal.

ADVERTISEMENT
The Documentation

The Documentation

ADVERTISEMENT

Just Another Ordinary Day

Like any other ordinary day, Nan had anchored her speedboat out at sea, as she was getting ready to conduct another one of her explorations. Little did she know that this day would turn out to be anything but ordinary.

ADVERTISEMENT
Just Another Ordinary Day

Just Another Ordinary Day

ADVERTISEMENT

What Was Lurking In The Depths Of The Sea?

Nan realized that this exploration day was turning out to be different than all the others as she saw a gigantic, dark figure in the depths of the sea. What’s more, it looked like this figure was heading for her.

ADVERTISEMENT
What Was Lurking In The Depths Of The Sea?

What Was Lurking In The Depths Of The Sea?

ADVERTISEMENT

A Sense Of Relief

As the creature was rapidly approaching, she felt a sense of relief when she realized that it was, in fact, a humpback whale. These whales can reach a staggering 60 feet in length and can weigh up to 40 tons.

ADVERTISEMENT
A Sense Of Relief

A Sense Of Relief

ADVERTISEMENT

Don’t Get Too Close

These creatures tend to be peaceful and not aggressive towards divers, but they can be dangerous to humans because of the sheer size of them. They can harm you by just flipping their tails if they’re swimming too close.

ADVERTISEMENT
The Whale May Be Harmless But If It Gets Too Close It Can Be Dangerous Nonetheless

Don’t Get Too Close

ADVERTISEMENT

This Was Definitely Not A Baby Whale

This creature weighed approximately 50,000 pounds so was definitely no baby whale. Hauser may have been able to estimate its size, but in all her years of researching whales, she’d never experienced what was about to happen to her.

ADVERTISEMENT
This Was Definitely Not A Baby Whale

This Was Definitely Not A Baby Whale

ADVERTISEMENT

Diving Has Always Been Her Passion

Hauser’s been diving with these majestic creatures for decades and has never had reason to be afraid of them. She’s a leading expert and hence very familiar with their behavior. That’s why what happened that day took her completely by surprise.

ADVERTISEMENT
Diving Has Always Been Her Passion

Diving Has Always Been Her Passion

ADVERTISEMENT

A Humpback Whale Encounter Like No Other

Because of her expansive knowledge of whales, she knew to stay calm and not do anything that may upset the creature. When the whale decided to come up for air, it got really close to her and she suddenly panicked.

ADVERTISEMENT
A Humpback Whale Encounter Like No Other

A Humpback Whale Encounter Like No Other

ADVERTISEMENT

Trying To Stay Clear But To No Avail

Even though the creature was so close she could touch it, she had no intention of doing that. But the more she tried to stay clear, the closer it came to her, it was so close it was touching her.

ADVERTISEMENT
Trying To Stay Clear But To No Avail

Trying To Stay Clear But To No Avail

ADVERTISEMENT

There Was No Escaping The Situation

In an attempt to not alarm the creature she didn’t want to make any harsh movements so remained still as the whale was approaching her. Next thing, she looked down and realized that she was literally on the whale’s head!

ADVERTISEMENT
There Was No Escaping The Situation

There Was No Escaping The Situation

ADVERTISEMENT

Always Be Careful When In Their Environment

As a marine biologist, Hauser believes that the animal’s wellbeing comes first. She respects sea life and always treats these creatures with caution and only touches them if they’re injured, are stranded, or need some kind of help.

ADVERTISEMENT
Always Be Careful When In Their Environment

Always Be Careful When In Their Environment

ADVERTISEMENT

Who Initiated Contact?

On this particular day, Hauser had no choice, she was going to make contact with this humpback whale whether she wanted to or not. The whale was the one to initiate contact, but Nan had no idea why.

ADVERTISEMENT
Who Initiated Contact?

Who Initiated Contact?

ADVERTISEMENT

Rules And Regulations About Whale Harassment

In an interview, Hauser recalls feeling slightly amused at one point because she’s responsible for writing the rules and regulations when it comes to whale harassment by divers, and ironically, here she was the one being harassed by the whale.

ADVERTISEMENT
Rules And Regulations About Whale Harassment

Rules And Regulations About Whale Harassment

ADVERTISEMENT

Frozen With Fear

For some reason, the whale seemed irritated and began nudging her over and over. Then next thing the whale tucked her under its fin and started dragging her to the surface. She felt helpless and feared for her life.

ADVERTISEMENT
Frozen With Fear

Frozen With Fear

ADVERTISEMENT

Uncertain Of What’s Next

All she could do was hold on for dear life as she had no idea what the whale wanted and what it was going to do next. She’d never experienced fear like this during any of her previous whale encounters.

ADVERTISEMENT
Uncertain Of What’s Next

Uncertain Of What’s Next

ADVERTISEMENT

Minutes Felt Like Hours

The whale would just not let her go, for what felt like hours, was 10 minutes of sheer panic. The creature was pushing her around with its mouth. Hauser didn’t know what to do and feared the absolute worst.

ADVERTISEMENT
Minutes Felt Like Hours

Minutes Felt Like Hours

ADVERTISEMENT

Fearing For Her Life

At this point, she feared for her life as the whale continued to ram her. The whale could easily ram her hard enough that her bones could break, or it could hit her with its flippers or its powerful tail.

ADVERTISEMENT
Fearing For Her Life

Fearing For Her Life

ADVERTISEMENT

She Was Prepared For The Worst

In the heat of the moment, Hauser was mentally prepared for the worst kind of outcome, because she had no idea what was actually going on. She said: “I was prepared to lose my life. I thought he was going to hit me and break my bones.”

ADVERTISEMENT
She Was Prepared For The Worst

She Was Prepared For The Worst

ADVERTISEMENT

All She Could Do Was Stay Calm

Hauser knew that all she could do was to stay calm and not upset the whale further. She knew that if she panicked, this could end badly for her as this enormous creature would pick up on her fear.

ADVERTISEMENT
All She Could Do Was Stay Calm

All She Could Do Was Stay Calm

ADVERTISEMENT

Something Like This Had Never Happened To Her Before

She’d never felt intimidated by these creatures before during any other encounter. In an interview Nan recalls hoping that this wasn’t going to be a deadly encounter, and she decided she had to stay calm and figure out what to do next.

ADVERTISEMENT
Something Like This Had Never Happened To Her Before

Something Like This Had Never Happened To Her Before

ADVERTISEMENT

There Was Nothing Anyone Could Do But Wait

Although her entire team was on-site with her at the time, there was nothing any of them could do to save her from this 25-ton whale. All anyone could do was wait and hope that she survives this encounter.

ADVERTISEMENT
There Was Nothing Anyone Could Do But Wait

There Was Nothing Anyone Could Do But Wait

ADVERTISEMENT

At Least They Were Able To Catch The Action On Camera

At the time of the incident, Nan and a fellow diver were recording the action and got some amazing footage. The other cameraman was new to filming sea creatures and had no idea how unusual an encounter like this was.

ADVERTISEMENT
At Least They Were Able To Catch The Action On Camera

At Least They Were Able To Catch The Action On Camera

ADVERTISEMENT

The Crew Had A Filming Dilemma

The crew had a tough decision to make, whether to keep filming or not. They were afraid for Nan and didn’t want to possibly capture her death on film. So they decided to stop aerial filming with the drone.

ADVERTISEMENT
The Crew Had A Filming Dilemma

The Crew Had A Filming Dilemma

ADVERTISEMENT

Completely Unaware

Nan was becoming increasingly worried as she saw the whale was pushing her further and further away from the boat. Concerned with drifting away she was not concentrating on her surroundings and had no idea what was lurking behind her.

ADVERTISEMENT
Completely Unaware

Completely Unaware

ADVERTISEMENT

The Situation Got Even More Interesting

Nan notices another whale displaying unusual behavior that’s approaching them. The second whale was flipping its tail nonstop. Suddenly she saw another figure emerging from deep below and she thought it was another whale. She soon realized it wasn’t.

ADVERTISEMENT
The Situation Got Even More Interesting

The Situation Got Even More Interesting

ADVERTISEMENT

Whales Travel In Packs

These beautiful creatures travel in packs as they migrate to the South Pacific to breed and rear their young. That’s why Nan was not alarmed and thought it to be the norm to see several wales in one spot.

ADVERTISEMENT
Whales Travel In Packs

Whales Travel In Packs

ADVERTISEMENT

That Was Not A Whale’s Tail

As she attempted to swim away from the first whale, Hauser got the fright of her life. She noticed that the third creature approaching was moving its tail side to side and not up and down as a whale would.

ADVERTISEMENT
That Was Not A Whale’s Tail

That Was Not A Whale’s Tail

ADVERTISEMENT

A Creature To Be Feared

Hauser was an expert marine biologist so quickly realized what this creature was. She knew it was too late to escape as it was approaching her at a very fast pace and all she felt was absolute horror and panic.

ADVERTISEMENT
A Creature To Be Feared

A Creature To Be Feared

ADVERTISEMENT

One Of The Ocean’s Deadliest Predators

Tiger sharks are one of the ocean’s deadliest predators, and Hauser knew that. They can weigh nearly a ton and reach lengths of 35 feet. They’re known to attack humans to no avail. They don’t just bite and release.

ADVERTISEMENT
One Of The Ocean’s Deadliest Predators

One Of The Ocean’s Deadliest Predators

ADVERTISEMENT

Now The Situation Turned From Bad To Worse

Nan was no longer worried about getting bruised by the whales, as she thought she was about to become a shark attack victim. All she could think to do was start swimming toward the speedboat where her research crew was.

ADVERTISEMENT
Now The Situation Turned From Bad To Worse

Now The Situation Turned From Bad To Worse

ADVERTISEMENT

The Realization Of What Had Just Happened Dawned On Her

Thankfully, both Nan and her cameraman made it to the research boat alive. As she lay on the floor of the boat feeling the bruises left from the whale’s nudges, she realized what the whale had been trying to do.

ADVERTISEMENT
The Realization Of What Had Just Happened Dawned On Her

The Realization Of What Had Just Happened Dawned On Her

ADVERTISEMENT

Guardian Angels Of The Sea

Humpback whales are known as the protectors of the sea. They protect dolphins, seals and other whales from dangerous situations. They’ve even been spotted hiding seals under their fin to protect them from orcas. Knowing this, it all made sense.

ADVERTISEMENT
Guardian Angels Of The Sea

Guardian Angels Of The Sea

ADVERTISEMENT

Thankful Reflection

Looking at the footage she saw that the whale had no intention of hurting her but of protecting her. Maybe the shark wasn’t going to attack her but the whale felt she was in danger and came to her rescue.

ADVERTISEMENT
Thankful Reflection

Thankful Reflection

ADVERTISEMENT

The Whale Continued To Show Concern

Once she was safely on the boat, Hauser saw the first whale come to the water’s surface close to the boat. The whale was probably checking to see that she was ok, and even sprayed water out of its blowhole.

ADVERTISEMENT
The Whale Continued To Show Concern

The Whale Continued To Show Concern

ADVERTISEMENT

Her Analysis

After the incredible interaction, Hauser watched the footage and analyzed what she saw. She concludes the harrowing experience by saying: “Maybe the shark wasn’t going to attack me,” she says, “but he [the whale] was trying to save my life.”

ADVERTISEMENT
Her Analysis

Her Analysis

ADVERTISEMENT

Some People Question Her

While Hauser doesn’t question her belief that the whale wanted to help her out, many other people started to question this. In 2016, researchers analyzed 115 instances where humpbacks interfered with a group of hunting orcas.

ADVERTISEMENT
Some People Question Her

Some People Question Her

ADVERTISEMENT

What The Research Showed

The study showed that the humpback whales did in fact band together to protect their calves. It also showed that humpbacks extended their kind of behavior towards other species such as seals and sea lions. The study said: “Interspecific altruism, even if unintentional, could not be ruled out.”

ADVERTISEMENT
What The Reseach Showed

What The Reseach Showed

ADVERTISEMENT

But It Wasn’t Enough

However, this didn’t convince everyone. Martin Biuw, of the Institute of Marine Research in Norway believes that the whale was actually a female, and said: “If that is the case, it is possible that she may show protective behavior towards a human (or other animal for that matter) if she has for instance recently lost her calf.”

ADVERTISEMENT
But It Wasn't Enough

But It Wasn’t Enough

ADVERTISEMENT

Was There Evidence?

Biuw continued by saying that hormonal changes in the humpback could have caused this kind of protective behavior. He added: “In any case, even if the situation on the ground suggested to the observers that there was an altruistic behavior going on, I really cannot see any evidence of that in this video.”

ADVERTISEMENT
Was There Evidence?

Was There Evidence?

ADVERTISEMENT

A Second Opinion

Humpback whale researcher Jim Darling, of the Whale Trust Maui, agrees that the whale did not show obvious signs of protecting Hauser from the shark. However, he did not believe her account was not true, either. He concluded that there isn’t enough information available in the video in order to understand what was actually going on.

ADVERTISEMENT
A Second Opinion

A Second Opinion

ADVERTISEMENT

Hauser Responds To The Doubts

In response to the claims doubting her story, Hauser said: “I’m a scientist, and if anyone told me this story, I wouldn’t believe it.” However, because she had actually lived through the harrowing event, she is convinced that the whale did in fact help save her from the shark.

ADVERTISEMENT
Hauser Responds To The Doubts

Hauser Responds To The Doubts

ADVERTISEMENT

Her Current Project

Hauser is still an active marine biologist and is currently working on a project entitled Pacific Oceanscape Vision, which aims for a “secure future for Pacific Island countries and territories based on sustainable development, management, and conversation of our Ocean.” That’s definitely a project we can all get behind!

ADVERTISEMENT
Her Current Project

Her Current Project

ADVERTISEMENT

An Unbelievable Encounter Caught On Camera

Whether the whale’s true intentions were to save her life or not, no one will ever know. The fact of the matter is, Hauser now has incredible footage of a once in a lifetime encounter with a humpback whale.

ADVERTISEMENT
An Unbelievable Encounter Caught On Camera

An Unbelievable Encounter Caught On Camera

ADVERTISEMENT

Returning The Favor

She has spent most of her life protecting these giants of the sea, and it seems the favor has now been returned. She still continues to do what she can to preserve these whales’ home and protect them from poachers.

ADVERTISEMENT
Returning The Favor

Returning The Favor

ADVERTISEMENT