Amazing moment an eight-metre humpback whale approaches kayakers and raises its flipper apparently seeking help after it became tangled in rope

  • Video captured the moment a whale tried to communicate with kayakers 
  • The eight-metre humpback whale became tangled in rope in Queensland
  • The whale raised its flipper out of the water in front of the kayakers 
  • Tour guide Tyron van Santen jumped into the water to help the whale

By Peter Devlin For Daily Mail Australia

Published: | Updated:

Video has captured the incredible moment a whale apparently tried to communicate with a group of kayakers after becoming tangled in fishing rope.

The juvenile humpback whale swam up to a tour group of 18 kayakers at Double Island Point on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast on Wednesday.

The video shows the eight-metre whale swimming up to the group multiple times and rubbing against their kayaks before tour operator Tyron van Santen jumps in to help it.

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Video has captured the incredible moment a whale tried to communicate with a group of kayakers after becoming tangled in fishing rope (pictured)

Video has captured the incredible moment a whale tried to communicate with a group of kayakers after becoming tangled in fishing rope (pictured)

The juvenile humpback whale swam up to a tour group of 18 kayakers (pictured) at Double Island Point on Queensland¿s Sunshine Coast on Wednesday 

The juvenile humpback whale swam up to a tour group of 18 kayakers (pictured) at Double Island Point on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast on Wednesday 

The humpback had a number of scars and wounds on its back (pictured) 

The humpback had a number of scars and wounds on its back (pictured) 

The video shows the eight-metre whale swimming up to the group multiple times before tour operator Tyro van Santen (pictured) jumps in to help it 

The video shows the eight-metre whale swimming up to the group multiple times before tour operator Tyro van Santen (pictured) jumps in to help it 

Mr van Santen said the whale indicated it needed help by raising its flipper, which had become tangled in rope, out of the water.

He also noticed the humpback had a number of scars and wounds on its back.

‘Out of nowhere a juvenile humpback whale pops up in the middle of the kayaks,’ he told Daily Mail Australia.

‘It kept coming back.

‘The whale moved onto its side and tried to show us its flipper three or four times.’

Mr van Santen said he was ‘blown-away’ at the animal's ability to communicate it needed help.

After untangling the whale’s flipper Mr van Santen realised that it had swallowed the end of the rope and possibly some other material. 

After untangling the whale¿s flipper Mr van Santen realised that it had swallowed the end of the rope and possibly some other material 

After untangling the whale’s flipper Mr van Santen realised that it had swallowed the end of the rope and possibly some other material 

Mr van Santen informed the Department of Parks and Wildlife, who monitored the whale (pictured) until Thursday, however it has not been seen since then 

Mr van Santen informed the Department of Parks and Wildlife, who monitored the whale (pictured) until Thursday, however it has not been seen since then 

Mr van Santen said he was ¿blown-away¿ at the whale¿s ability to communicate it needed help 

Mr van Santen said he was ‘blown-away’ at the whale’s ability to communicate it needed help 

‘As calmly as I could I took the rope off the whale’s flipper.

‘I followed the rope up to its mouth and that’s when I realised it had swallowed it and possibly some other material,’ he said.

‘I knew at this stage I couldn’t do much.’

Mr Santen informed the Department of Parks and Wildlife, who monitored the whale until Thursday, however it has not been seen since then. 

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