Every year, hundreds of thousands of whales get caught in deadly fishing gear and many don’t survive. It’s the most severe threat these creatures face today, and it’s a battle Machie Greene and his team has taken personally.
When this devoted whale rescue team was recently called about a whale stuck in fishing gear, they knew they had no time to lose.
These guys have always been on standby, day or night, ready to leap into action whenever a whale is in trouble. But this time, the situation was more critical.
It wasn’t just any whale in need – it was a North Atlantic Right Whale, one of the rarest creatures in the ocean.
With fewer than five hundred left in the wild, and over 85 percent bearing scars from painful encounters with fishing gear, each life of these majestic whales was incredibly precious.
Armed with specialized tools, the team knew their job wouldn’t be easy. They had to carefully cut through the thick netting that dug into the whale’s flesh, knowing that any wrong move could cause more harm than good.
Whales, despite their massive size, are delicate beings, and fear often drives them to resist. To help calm the whale, the team attached a buoy, slowing it down and making it easier to keep track of.
But even with this technique, the rescue was no small feat. The small rescue boats felt like toy boats next to the distressed giant, and every wave seemed like a potential threat.
On this particular day, the tension was palpable as the team worked tirelessly. The six-year-old whale was clearly in distress but seemed to sense that these humans were there to help.
He returned to the side of the boat again and again, as if asking for help. It was a sight that tugged at the heartstrings of everyone present.
For five long hours, the team worked, their hands aching, and their nerves frayed, but their determination never wavered. Every cut brought the whale closer to freedom until the last piece of netting was finally removed.
As the whale swam away, free at last, there was a quiet moment of triumph among the team. They knew they had made a difference, even if it was just for one whale.
It’s moments like these that show the power of compassion and the difference we can make. When we see an animal in distress, a simple call to the rescuers can set off a chain of events that saves a life.