Featured Image Credit: Capt. Keith Leeves
By Sarah Sharkey
Doris the humpback whale put on quite the show for tourists at Falmouth Bay in Cornwall, United Kingdom.
Whale watchers on a wildlife cruise were in for a treat when Doris showed up. The 20,000 pound animal put on an amazing display just frolicking in the water around the boat.
This display was very special because just last month Doris was rescued from fishing nets in nearby waters. The rescue was a painful three hour process and she almost did not make it because she was so exhausted that she almost drowned. But a team of nine rescuers were able to haul her out into deeper water by the tail and cut away all of the rope she was trapped in. Now, though, the gentle giant seemed to be in much better health.
Keith Leeves, captain of the wildlife cruise, said, “We know it’s the same whale that got herself entangled in nets in Devon because we could see rope burn marks on her. So we know this is Doris.”
Captain Leeves describes the moment as ‘pure joy.’ Understandably so, imagine an animal as large as a bus frolicking gracefully in the water around you. I cannot think of anything more magical.
Doris breached 25 consecutive times! That is truly a wonderful display of health. We know she is definitely recovered, which was the best part of the display.