Large Humpback Whale Surfaces in Front of Paddleboarder in Alaska

A massive humpback whale surfaced in front of a man paddleboarding in Alaska's waters.

Experts explained that whales are not aggressive, but a very close encounter could be dangerous.

It is rare that a humpback whale could emerge in front of someone because the large animal is likely to avoid people.

Furthermore, a recent report published in the New York Post and Associated Press (AP) showed that while paddleboarding in Alaska, a man had a very close encounter with a massive whale.

Close Encounter with a massive humpback whale

(Photo : by JOAQUIN SARMIENTO/AFP via Getty Images)
Humpback whale. A paddleboarder in Alaska's water was shocked after a massive humpback whale surfaced in front of him. Experts said that whales are not aggressive, but a close encounter could be dangerous.

According to NOAA Fisheries, the humpback whale can be found on the West Coast, Alaska, Southeast, Pacific Islands and Mid-Atlantic waters.

Like other whales, humpback whales can become massive, reaching 40 tons in weight and 60 feet in length. They have a life span of up to 90 years.

Meanwhile, the report showed that while near the Prince Williams Sounds, Kevin Williams encountered a large humpback whale.

While the close encounter in front of Williams was dangerous, he noted the whale was massive, seeming like a puny against the large aquatic animal.

However, the whale came back underwater without making any aggression, even if it approached them.

In the AP report, Williams added that one flick of the whale could signal the end of his life.

To maintain himself, the report noted that he positioned his knees together. He added that he did not even get wet after the rare appearance of the big animal.

Although the situation was terrifying, Williams explained that he would never stop paddleboarding.

Humpback whale freed in Western Australia

Furthermore, ABC News reported that a humpback whale became stuck in pearling lines in Western Australia.

The report explained that the whales had been stuck for about three days before rescuers finally freed them. The entanglement was challenging due to the wraps around its body.

Fishing gear entanglement is one of the threats to the whale population.

Meanwhile, the authorities would look into the incidents of whales stuck in fishing gear entanglement and avoid the same situations in the future.

More facts about humpback whales

NOAA added that the population of humpback whales is endangered due to a declining population. The typical appearance of humpback whales can be seen in all-black color.

The report explained that whales store more blubber during the warmer seasons to survive the winter months, consuming small fish and other crustaceans. They can eat up to 3,000 pounds of food daily.

Moreover, Oceana reported that humpback whales are said to attain the longest migrations. They can swim 5,000 miles.

Like dolphins, humpback whales can produce sounds like singing that people can hear up to 20 miles.

Also Read: Whale Sighted Off North Carolina's Coast Suffers from Fishing Gear Entanglement, Serious Injury; Experts Raise Concerns

Did you know?

Ship collisions and commercialized fishing gear entanglement threaten the whale population.

In previous articles, Nature World News (NWN) reported that a whale was sighted off North Carolina Outer Banks coast and suffered from injuries from fishing gear entanglement.