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WA snorkelers injured by whale
A woman has suffered serious injuries after being struck and injured while swimming with humpback whales off the coast of Western Australia. The Australian woman, 29, was with a tour group at the popular Ningaloo Reef on Saturday when she was struck. She reportedly suffered fractured ribs and internal bleeding.
She slapped her pectoral fin and her tail on the water in a defensive display, Ningaloo Whaleshark Swim owner Matt Winter told 9News. The tail hit a 29-year-old woman, who suffered a fractured rib and internal bleeding.
The tour operator told Nine News Perth that the whale swam directly at the group to place herself between them and her calf before engaging in defensive moves, like slapping her pectoral fins and tail down into the water.
Adult humpback whales can grow between 48 and 62.5 feet in length and weigh as much as 40 tons. (iStock)
"Unfortunately, when she was doing that one of the swimmers was hit by her tail and another was hit by her pectoral fin less seriously," the operator said.
Swimming with humpback whales is set to become a permanent licensed industry in 2021, and is currently being monitored by Australia’s Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, WA Today reported.
The department released a safety report in January that said swimmers must keep 30 meters, or about 100 feet, away from the whales while in the water, according to the outlet.
The department acknowledged in a statement that “swimming with humpback whales involves some inherent risk” and said it was investigating the incident with cooperation from the industry and tour operator.
Adult humpback whales can measure from 48 to 62.5 feet, and weigh as much as 40 tons, according to National Geographic.
WA snorkelers injured by whale
A woman has suffered serious injuries after being struck and injured while swimming with humpback whales off the coast of Western Australia. The Australian woman, 29, was with a tour group at the popular Ningaloo Reef on Saturday when she was struck. She reportedly suffered fractured ribs and internal bleeding.
She slapped her pectoral fin and her tail on the water in a defensive display, Ningaloo Whaleshark Swim owner Matt Winter told 9News. The tail hit a 29-year-old woman, who suffered a fractured rib and internal bleeding.
The tour operator told Nine News Perth that the whale swam directly at the group to place herself between them and her calf before engaging in defensive moves, like slapping her pectoral fins and tail down into the water.
Adult humpback whales can grow between 48 and 62.5 feet in length and weigh as much as 40 tons. (iStock)
"Unfortunately, when she was doing that one of the swimmers was hit by her tail and another was hit by her pectoral fin less seriously," the operator said.
Swimming with humpback whales is set to become a permanent licensed industry in 2021, and is currently being monitored by Australia’s Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, WA Today reported.
The department released a safety report in January that said swimmers must keep 30 meters, or about 100 feet, away from the whales while in the water, according to the outlet.
The department acknowledged in a statement that “swimming with humpback whales involves some inherent risk” and said it was investigating the incident with cooperation from the industry and tour operator.
Adult humpback whales can measure from 48 to 62.5 feet, and weigh as much as 40 tons, according to National Geographic.
