's

SardineText and photos by Claudia Weber-Gebert Run & the Interaction of Predators

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Hundreds of long-beaked common and flocks of gannets pursue the sardine swarms during (above); Gannet gulps down a sardine (right)

This natural spectacle takes In some years, however, the Sar- place almost every year on dine Run is not observed. During these years, it was thought that the eastern of South the Sardine Run did not take Africa and Mozambique—the place due to climatic conditions. so-called “Sardine Run.” To But just because one cannot this day, the reason why it see it on the surface does not mean that the are not occurs cannot be precisely migrating. It is quite possible that defined. There are various this migration then takes place scientific theories, but some at greater depths and/or farther of them contradict each away from the . coast of South Africa. Towards the end of the summer in the Southern other. Factors involved in this, “Normal case” scenario Hemisphere, the speed and strength the world’s largest migra- Here is a rough summary of what of the decreases. tion of South African sardines happens during a normal year: The This gives the Benguela Current the Agulhas Current brings warm water opportunity to transport cold water in (Sardinops ocellatus), include from the along the a narrow strip along the continental the two major ocean cur- eastern coast of Africa. The Benguela shelf on the eastern coast of Africa rents—the Agulhas and the Current, which pushes cold water to the KwaZulu-Natal coast and to Benguela—plus wind speed northwards from the Antarctic to the push off the Agulhas Current. The sar- Cape, is averted by the warm water dines, which prefer the colder water, and rain as well as air and of the Agulhas Current at the Cape follow this cold and nutritious current water temperatures. and thus flows along the western in huge masses to the KwaZulu-Natal Dense schools of South African sardines form the world's largest migration each year duing the Sardine Run PREVIOUS PAGE: Bryde's and dolphins hunting and feediing on sardines

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coast and Mozambique. statements about it. Years of studies at beginning at These swarms of sardines can be sev- several locations would have to be car- the Cape and eral kilometres long and are clearly visible ried out simultaneously to get a better passing along from an airplane as long as they are not overview. And what happens at greater the entire too deep below the surface of the water. depths in the is sometimes southeastern Such a large source of prey attracts a hidden from the viewer. coast. Already huge number of predators, which benefit in January, from this wealth of food. These predators Migration timeline one can see include dolphins, , , seals, and characteristics the sardines in penguins and various species such When we speak of the Sardine Run, we the region around the Cape and False main objective of the Sardine Run is prob- as Cape gannets and Cape cormorants. are mostly referring to the events that Bay; from February to May, they are in ably only sardine reproduction, because However, depending on environmental take place off the KwaZulu-Natal coast the region of Algoa Bay and East London; not all sardines take part in the migration. factors, there are different variants in the from June to July. But that is actually the and only from May to July are they off Sardine Run’s usual scenario. Research- end of this . The sardines the KwaZulu-Natal coast. Sardine - The predators ers who observe this natural event can begin to move towards the KwaZulu- ing has also been observed in the water, Long-beaked common dolphins (Del- Cape gannet (above); Dense school of sar- therefore only make limited scientific Natal coast and Mozambique in January, which has led scientists to believe that the phinus capensis) make up the largest dines (top left); South Aftican coast (right)

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number of predators. These dolphins reach a maximum length of 2.5m and are very agile, which gives them a big advantage in the Sardine Run. Bottlenose dolphins are rarely observed, and resident groups do not participate here; however, bot- tlenose dolphins passing by can sometimes be found at bait balls. In the early months of the year, Bryde’s whales (Balaenoptera brydei) are the largest predators in the southern coastal regions. Occa- sionally, one can also find the some- what smaller Antarctic minke whales (Balaenoptera bonaerensis). From June to July, humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) and southern right whales (Eubalae- na australis) are present in the north- found in the Sardine Run: cop- related is still unclear. Orcas also ern coastal areas. But the hump- per sharks, mako sharks and dusky only come because of the dolphins. back whales are on a completely sharks. Great white sharks can also It has been observed though, how different migration, namely towards be spotted; however, they are not orcas hunt the dolphins by isolating warmer waters, where they will mate interested in the sardines, but in the individuals from their pods. Other and give birth to their calves. But dolphins and seals. marine mammals that prey on the when the opportunity arises, the sar- Sometimes, small groups of orcas sardines include Cape fur seals, dines are a nice find for them. appear, usually during a full moon which only appear in small groups Three species can also be phase. How these two things are near bait balls, shooting through the Bryde's whale feeding (above); Cape fur seals (left); Long-beaked common dolphins and gannets (top)

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Snorkellers watch hundreds of dolphins (above) corralling sardines into a (right), as Cape gannets feed on sardines pressed at the water's surface or jumping into the air to escape predators (left).

15m to catch ing frenzy! You go out on a rubber boat the sardines. for a few kilometres and you do not see The Afri- much at first—sometimes even nothing— can penguin perhaps just a few birds flying somewhere (Spheniscus or waiting on the surface of the water. It The adventure begins when you see all demersus)— may be quite disappointing at first, but the gannets flying in the same direction with great speed and underwater also known as the “jackass penguin” it is actually a good sign. Because when in large numbers. Now it starts, because acrobatics. because of its donkey-like cry—also takes nothing is going on, the event is at this this means that the dolphins have started As for , Cape gannets and part. They can reach a speed of 25km/h point probably concentrated somewhere to drive the sardines. It is the long-beaked Cape cormorants should be mentioned underwater. Unfortunately, they are now else. And now it is time to follow the signs common dolphins that come together, first among the avian predators. While a endangered as a species. One hundred and find this place! coordinated from all directions to drive larger variety of seabirds can be observed years ago, their eggs were sold as a deli- The gannets and cormorants are a and hunt the huge swarm of sardines. at the sardine swarms, the large brown cacy, and their manure was removed good indicator. Are they still sitting on We were able to follow a pod of boobies and Cape cormorants are the from the islands and shipped to England. the water in groups or are they flying in approximately 100 to 200 dolphins, which predominant species represented. The nests of the penguin colonies on St. a certain direction? And is there were heading towards the open sea The sardines themselves measure Croix Island were completely destroyed. activity somewhere on the water’s sur- at a rapid pace, followed by seabirds approximately 25 to 30cm in length. They Today, there are several stations on the face? It is hard to see when the waves that plunged into the water again and are too big and too heavy for smaller sea- South African coast that take care of are coming at you. From the boat, you again, catching individual . And more birds to catch, since the birds would then injured penguins. can see for about 3km. It means look- and more dolphins came from all direc- have to fly several kilometres back to their ing out on all sides and identifying and tions—all in all, about 1,000 dolphins were young with the prey. This leaves the sar- Observing the Sardine Run interpreting the variations on the water’s involved in the chase, swimming at great dines almost exclusively reserved for large And now a bit about the adventure: It is surface. The search can sometimes take speeds even farther out in open sea. birds. Gannets are able to dive down to pure madness for the observer—a feed- several hours! The water seemed to be boiling. The African or jackass penguin has a donkey-like cry

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Using whistling sounds, dolphins (right) coordinate attacks to force sardines into a dense bait ball at the surface (above)

dolphins appeared in waves to breathe us; foraging was their priority. With just a new luck! Birds could at the surface and thus generated their quick glance at us, the marine mammals be seen far off in own waves. Some jumped out of the moved on at breath-taking speed. The the distance. After a water, but most saved their energy for sardines were still too deep—only indi- 45-minute rubber-boat spurts of speed. Dolphin babies stayed vidual fish that got lost had no chance of ride into the middle of close to their mothers’ sides, which were survival with all the predators on the hunt Algoa Bay, we could now in dire need of food. The group in the area. see lots of birds, and stayed close together; it was easier for It was almost impossible to take photos big splashes of water these dolphins to keep up their speed by at the speed of the animals, especially could be seen in swimming in the wake of other dolphins. because we were in a cold current with the distance. As we The dolphins coordinated their move- a lot of . Nevertheless, the expe- got closer, the water ments with whistling sounds underwater— rience was indescribable! At approxi- seemed to be boiling a remarkable communication system mately 45km from the coast, we unfortu- with dolphins. that worked for miles underwater, thus nately had to stop the pursuit; the way We arrived at just reaching all the dolphins in the area. back would be against the wind and the right time. The dolphins had isolated dolphins worked together in a coordi- With their mouths wide open, four to Our boat positioned itself several times the waves were high. The dolphins raced some of the sardines and pushed them nated manner to get the best out of the five of these whales alternated in push- in front of the dolphins and we snorkelled towards the open sea at an insane just under the water’s surface. Now, the situation. While some of the animals cir- ing through the mass of fish, always in the middle of the stream of dolphins pace—always in pursuit of the sardines. dolphins circled the sardines and kept cled the sardines, others shot through the behind the quick dolphins. The sardines for a few minutes. The dolphins shot However, our Sardine Run experience the swarm under control, forming a “bait shoal of fish from below, to be followed kept jumping out of the water to escape. past—beside us, below us, all around us! did not end here. The next day was a ball.” The sardines diverged in all direc- soon after by even larger predators— The whole spectacle was picking up They did not have time to really notice new day, with a new game plan and tions to escape the dolphins. About 200 Bryde’s whales. speed. We watched the goings-on from

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THIS PAGE: Bryde's whale (above and right) feeding on sardines at the surface as a gannet dives from the air to catch the fish (top right)

a distance, amazed and overwhelmed. in diameter seemed to be bubbling. is called a “” was in full None of us had expected just how over- Over and over, the dolphins shot swing, and we snorkelers were right in whelming it was to watch, and this was through the water at high speeds, and the middle of it—it was pure adrenaline! just the beginning of the spectacle! the whales catapulted half of their bod- It was difficult to take pictures, but Again and again, the dolphins coordi- ies out of the water with their mouths the action-cam was better able to nated their attacks with whistling sounds, open or slid along the surface to swallow capture what we were witnessing. The circling the sardines, sometimes on the large numbers of sardines. Sometimes, feeling was indescribable. We were left and sometimes on the right. The the sardines jumped out again—but shoved around by dolphins, which were Bryde’s whales kept pushing the sardines there was no escape. only focused on hunting. Their whistling to the surface. Now, the seals also came sounds could be heard as well. to hunt at the edge of the swarm. Underwater photography The whole event found its own rhythm Cape gannets shot into the water from We attempted to take underwater pho- and produced a strange in which the air. These birds can dive and hunt tos of the action, but the water was cold we swam. The visibility in the water was down to 15m, but now that the fish were and thick with the silvery scales of the so bad, however, we could hardly see at the surface, it became easier for other sardines floating around like confetti. In anything. Not so for the dolphins and seabirds to partake in this excess of food, addition, the water was full of tiny air whales though, which could perceive and the amount of birds hovering over bubbles due to the frantic activity of the every movement and every energy the event got denser. The water was animals. Meanwhile, dolphins shot past, field in the water with their fine senses. foaming white due to the predator activ- ignoring us. Seals took a quick look at They coordinated themselves again ity. An almost circular area of about 200m us and disappeared immediately. What and again, and circled the school of

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Bryde's whale feeding on sardines (above)

fish. Over and over, the sardines shot after a while, the fish crowded towards us, followed by a group of into a compact ball. Copper dolphins, and after them, a whale with sharks joined the spectacle. its mouth open. This process repeated With poor visibility, we chose itself continuously at a frenetic speed, not to stay in the water. From which increased over time. the boat, we got a better over- Suddenly, a Bryde’s whale below us view of the action and could grazed our fins. It was very close; we follow the event more easily only noticed it at the last minute, but and more safely. We saw sharks the whale knew exactly where we heading into the bait ball again were. Perhaps it also thought we were and again. The sardines sought lame dolphins. It moved past us with shelter under our boat, as the its mouth open and its eyes closed. At sharks’ dorsal fins cut through 15m long and 15 tons in weight, its bow the water’s surface next to us. wave lifted us up like a ship’s. Normally, in good visibility, The circle drew ever tighter as the sar- this would be an opportunity to dines huddled together and jumped out go into the water with dive gear and also see sharks with fresh bite injuries. so many predators joined the feast, of the water. The birds plunged into the observe what is known as a bait ball— As a snorkeler or diver in this environ- injured sardines could be seen swim- water from above, so a sardine’s jump a compact ball of densely packed ment, you would always be at the short ming around everywhere. The gannets into the air was no solution to escape its fish—through which the sharks, dolphins, end of the stick, even if a shark bites still plunged into the swarm—always 10 certain fate. Like vultures, the birds cir- seals and birds darted, hunted and ate. you accidentally. The conditions were to 15 gannets in quick succession, like cled in the air, screeching loudly, while Depending on the situation, these bait not ideal for photography anyway. But a fighter squadron in an air raid. They the dolphins circled in the water—their balls can reach a diameter of up to 15m. watching the events from the boat was sighted their prey, folded their wings Sardines jump into the air to escape predators speeds increasing, like a whirlwind. For safety reasons, we stayed on the also an impressive experience. into a streamlined triangle and plunged below the surface (above); Pod of long-beaked boat; the water was cloudy, with poor at high speeds into the water. dolphins hunting (top left); Commorants were Sharks join the party visibility—it was too dangerous to be Last chance for birds In the meantime, some of the big observed flying in a chain formation from Bird The shoal got smaller and smaller, and underwater. In this situation, one may The bait ball was getting smaller. After Cape cormorants also arrived and par- Island to hunt at Sardine Run (right)

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Elephant in a South African game park (above); Penguins on St. Croix Island (right); Cormorants on Bird Island (top left); Cape fur seals (left)

After six days on the water, all the pho- For more impressions tographers and filmmakers in our group of this adventure, had gotten their money’s worth. How- go to the following ever, the weather had not always played video link on You- along. Strong winds and the associated Tube: youtube.com/ high waves had not always permitted watch?v=ITWIRT5dA0k. ticipated in the battle at this cold buffet. One last time, a Bryde’s whale rushed safe passage. Sometimes, we were able Even seagulls and small seabirds now through the swarm, suddenly swallowing to enjoy an alternate option—diving on The next adventure is had a chance to get something out of the sardine ball, which was now quite the wonderful colourful coral reefs along waiting, so if you want the remains left by the larger predators. small, while dolphins circled the whale the coast, which supported breath-tak- to join me on the next But while boobies and cormorants could and snatched the last escaping sardines. ing biodiversity. Sardine Run trip, do actively dive and chase the fish, the There was almost nothing left of the huge Visiting penguin and bird reserves, as not hesitate to get in remaining seabirds only pecked bits off mass of sardines that we came across well as observing seals dozing and warm- contact with me and the surface of the water. four hours earlier! What a spectacle! ing up on rocky outcrops, were also nice I will send you all the During the whole event, there was a What a day! alternative excursions, when the sardines details. I will accom- constant rotation of birds. The boobies, On the way back to the harbour, we were not “running.” In addition, the pany only small groups which had already caught enough fish, were tired, hungry and thirsty. Nobody game parks on land also offered a nice of six to seven photog- flew in small groups in a chain formation had had time to eat or drink during the change and opportunities to get photos raphers max. The next back to Bird Island, where their hungry eventful day, but our cameras’ memory of big game. We ended our trip to South trip will take place in offspring waited in their nests. As new cards were full of impressive photos and Africa with full memory cards and hard late June/early July groups of birds came to hunt, previous videos. However, our impressions had not drives—our wonderful impressions pre- 2020 or later, in 2021. Just email me for all design-buero.org. You can also contact groups flew back to the island—a con- yet been properly processed, as it had served for a lifetime!  the information and conditions involved me via Facebook at: facebook.com/ stant coming and going. been an overwhelming day. in the Sardine Run trips: weber-gebert@ claudia.webergebert.

25 X-RAY MAG : 96 : 2020 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS WRECKS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY TECH EDUCATION PROFILES PHOTO & VIDEO PORTFOLIO ZIMBABWE BOTSWANA Messina MOZ fact file NAMIBIA Polokwane RIGHT: Global map PRETORIA South Africa with location of South Africa FAR RIGHT: Location of Johannesburg SWAZ. on map of South Africa BOTTOM LEFT: African penguin Upington BOTTOM RIGHT: Pair of cormorants Ladysmith Richards at Bird Island Nature Reserve off Kimberly Bay Njesuthi SOURCES: US CDC, US CIA WORLD FACTBOOK, the coast of South Aftica Bloemfontein LES. US DEPT OF STATE, XE.COM De Aar Durban History In 1652, Dutch trad- power in 1948 and instituted a control measures are required SOUTH ers landed at the southern tip of policy of apartheid—the sepa- due to the lack of important arte- con- ATLANTIC East modern-day South Africa and rate development of the races. In rial rivers or lakes; water usage serva- OCEAN London founding the city of Cape Town, 1994, the first multi-racial elections increases outpace supply; agricul- tive but Saldanha Port Elizabeth establishing a resupply station saw the end of apartheid and tural runoff and urban discharge pragmatic. Cape Town INDIAN on the spice route between the brought in black majority rule. cause pollution of rivers; acid rain It focuses on OCEAN Netherlands and the East. In 1806, Government: republic. due to air pollution; soil erosion; controlling inflation, Cape of Good Hope many Dutch settlers (the Boers) Capital: Pretoria. desertification. sustaining a budget surplus, and— 4%, SiSwati travelled north to establish their as a means of increasing job 2.6%, Tshiv- own republics after the British Geography Southern Africa is Economy A middle-income, growth and household income— enda 2.5%, isiNdebele 1.6%, Khoi, DURBAN: St. Augustine’s Hyperbar- seized the area of the Cape of located at the southern tip of the emerging market with a large sup- employing state-owned enter- Nama, San and other languages ic Medicine Centre, Hyperbaric Good Hope. In 1867 and 1886, the continent of Africa. The country of ply of natural resources, South Af- prises to provide basic services to 1.9% (2017 est). and Woundcare Unit, St. Augus- discovery of diamonds and gold Lesotho is completely surrounded rica has well-developed financial, low-income areas. tine’s Hospital. 24-Hour Hotline: encouraged wealth and immigra- by South Africa, which also almost legal, communications, energy Health & Safety Before your Tel. 031-268-5000 tion. This intensified the subjuga- completely surrounds Swaziland. and transport sectors. Its stock Climate South Africa is mostly trip, check with your state and tion of the indigenous population. Coastline: 2,798 km. Terrain: vast exchange is the 17th largest in the semiarid with sunny days and cool health departments for travel Web sites The years 1899-1902 saw the British interior plateau surrounded by world. Its modern infrastructure nights. There are subtropical areas advisories and updates. There is South Africa Tourism defeat the Boers resistance during rugged hills and a thin coastal supports an efficient distribution of along the eastern coast. an intermediate degree of risk southafrica.net  the Boer War; but the British and plain. Lowest point: Atlantic goods to major cities throughout for food or water- the Afrikaners, as the Boers be- Ocean 0 m. Highest point: Njesuthi the region. Since 2004, growth has Population 56,463,617 (July borne diseases such came known, governed together 3,408 m. Natural hazards: extend- been strong, as South Africa reaps 2020 est.) This figure factors in as bacterial diarrhea, under the Union of South Africa. ed droughts. Environmental issues: the benefits of macroeconomic the effects and mortality rate of hepatitis A and ty- The National Party was voted into extensive water conservation and stability and a boom in global AIDS. Ethnic groups: black Afri- phoid fever. Vector- commodities. However, there is still can 80.9%, coloured 8.8%, white borne diseases in- high unemployment and an out- 7.8%, Indian/Asian 2.5% (2018 est). clude Crimean Congo dated infrastructure limits growth. Religions: Christian 86%, ancestral, haemorrhagic fever The country began to experience tribal, animist or other traditional and malaria. Water an electricity crisis at the end of African religions 5.4%, Muslim contact diseases 2007, due to supply problems of 1.9%, (2015 est). Internet users: include schistosomiasis the state power supplier Eskom. 29,322,380 or 54% (2016 est.) (2008). It necessitated “load-shedding” cuts to businesses and residents in Currency Rand (ZAR). Decompression the major urban areas. Remnants Exchange rates: 1EUR=16.18ZAR, Chambers of the apartheid period include 1USD=14.68ZAR, 1GBP=19.21ZAR, CAPE TOWN: daunting economic problems, 1AUD=9.87ZAR, SGD=10.77ZAR National Hyperbarics; especially poverty, no economic Kleinmont Hospital, empowerment among disadvan- Language isiZulu 24.7%, isiX- Cape Town taged groups, and public trans- hosa 15.6%, Afrikaans 12.1%, Se- 24-Hour Hotline: portation shortages. The econom- pedi 9.8%, Setswana 8.9%, Eng- Tel. 021-671-8655 ic policy of the country is fiscally lish 8.4%, Sesotho 8%, Xitsonga

26 X-RAY MAG : 96 : 2020 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS WRECKS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY TECH EDUCATION PROFILES PHOTO & VIDEO PORTFOLIO The Gossip Press Said: “Diver Swallowed by Whale” — Here’s What Really Happened…

Text and photos by vations, this is not the case. If you keep highly unlikely that some- Claudia Weber-Gebert calm, you do not disturb the animals. It is thing like this would hap- a little like watching cows graze in a pas- pen. The whale lifted the The story of how a diver was ture. Nobody claims that this disturbs the snorkeler out of the water, swallowed by a whale at Sar- cows. While the animals at Sardine Run about 2m high. Then I saw might perceive the boat and the people, the whale dive down, and dine Run showed up in all the they are so busy eating that they do not it passed underneath me. I media—worldwide. However, care who is there, observing. could not see Rainer; either I was there, and I can tell you, On the previous day, our tour opera- he was completely in its no, the diver was not swallowed! tor, Rainer, pointed out that it could hap- mouth or out again. I could pen—that a snorkeler would end up in not tell from my position, And, no, we could not see the a whale’s mouth—but that it had never with the slight waves on the whale coming. And, yes, all pre- happened before, and the probability that water’s surface obscuring cautions had been taken—and, it would happen was quite low. Nobody my downward view. Then I no, it was not intended! knew exactly what would happen then, looked across the surface because no one has ever reported it. How- of the water again and saw ever, everyone had been instructed about Rainer—all was well! Many views were shared. Some admiring, it and all precautions had been taken. others shaking their heads. Critics said How it happened all of these activities to see the whales Unexpected What had happened was Snorkeller with dolphins and Bryde's whale (above), which just took a big gulp of sardines (left), South Africa and other animals at Sardine Run should The next morning, we found a bait ball. this: The whale noticed its be forbidden; they disturb the animals The boat stopped, and we first checked mistake and immediately spat a mass of he was a human being, but perhaps intention—baleen whales are not man- too much. But according to my obser- conditions and accessed the situation— water out of its mouth, including Rainer. thought he was a dolphin or seal, which eaters! And it was not our intention that finding dolphins, sharks, boo- The second snorkeler, Gehard, had been is quite possible due to his size. The whale one of the groups in the water would bies and a lot of sardines. The pushed to the side by the whale when it was probably familiar with the behav- end up in a whale’s mouth. We all kept opportunity was good now to shot upward, and Viktoria, who was to the iour of the animals around it—that they a proper distance from the action. How- take some beautiful photos of right of Rainer, was briefly pressed under- jumped aside quickly enough when it ever, the sardine mass was in constant the sharks at the bait ball. So, water—the whole scenario took exactly approached. This was our observation motion, back and forth, drawing preda- four of us went into the water. 1.8 seconds—as one could later see in the too: First, the dolphins jumped out of the tors with it. This could better be seen in We were barely in the water series of photos taken by Heinz Toperczer. water in an arc, then the whale followed. clear water, but not in conditions with five minutes, checking the Heinz was a few meters away on the boat The strange object in its mouth was spit poor water visibility. conditions, when it happened. and just happened to be able to take out immediately. As I have heard since I was about five metres away pictures of it all. then, this behaviour has been observed Afterthoughts from Rainer and two safety Fortunately, nothing happened to several times—dolphins, seals and birds My personal impression: It was a wonder- snorkelers. The visibility under- either the whale or the snorkeler. The have also been seen spit out by whales. ful, unique experience to be so close water was poor, at a maximum question remains though, as to who was But at no time would there have been to a whale and to experience just how of 3 to 4m. I checked the set- more scared—the man or the whale? a risk that a human would be swal- careful and sensitive these 15-ton colossi tings on my camera under- lowed. The throat of a Bryde’s whale is really are. Just think: A person who finds water, looked up and saw a Whale behavior and bad viz only about the size of a fist, so that fish or a fly in his or her soup might squash it. Bryde’s whale shoot up exactly In all my photos from the trip, I could see maybe a bird might pass through it, but In the case of the whale, it would have where the others were in the that the whales closed their eyes while never a human being. The only danger been easy for it to flatten us four rela- water—and then I saw two legs their mouths were open. The whale could would have come in the form of broken tively tiny snorkelers with one slash of its in its half-opened mouth! not have seen the man in the water bones and bruises, or if the whale had fluke, but it did not. On the contrary, it I saw a green weight belt—it anyway because of the murky water submerged with a human in its mouth. was more eager to dive away from us as was Rainer, who just the even- conditions. Of course, the whale was We prefer not to imagine that. carefully as possible. These animals are ing before had said that it was aware of the man, just maybe not that In any case, this was never the whale’s indeed gentle, unique and admirable. 

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