Would-Be Rescuer Feared Killed by Whale Tail Blow (even whales hate PETA)

Yahoo! News / Reuters ^ | 6.16.03

[mhking]

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - A New Zealand man trying to free a 50 foot humpback whale ensnared in lobster pot ropes is missing and presumed dead after being hit by the whale's tail, police said Monday.

The 38-year-old, who has not yet been named, had gone to the aid of a whale in waters near the popular whale-watching town of Kaikoura, 90 miles south of Wellington.

"He was trying to cut the rope free from the whale's tail and the whale lifted its tail and struck him," Kaikoura police Sergeant Tony Yardley told Reuters.

A four-hour search by boats and a helicopter found no sign of the man and he was presumed dead, Yardley added.

Several species of whale are attracted to the deep, food-rich waters off the coast of Kaikoura, which in turn attract large numbers of tourists to the region.

[boris]

Reminds me of the tree-hugger who was killed by a falling tree.

It proves that God exists--and has a great sense of humor!

--Boris

[boris]

"This is truly a Whale of a Tail!"

Nah, it's just a fluke.

[dirtboy]

Whales are supposed to be so much smarter than humans...can this whale be brought up on manslaughter charges? Is this a hate crime...did this whale practice species-ism? We need an investigation?

Nothing that sinister ... they were just playing football and the whale told the guy to go deep...

[mhking]

"Hold muh beer 'n watch this!" PING....

If you want on or off this list, please let me know!

[teeman8r]

poor guy was 38 and didn't have a name yet... call him ismail, and perhaps the fact that the oceans are dying is because the whales are out to get us....