Captain Encounters Giant Whale Seeking Assistance
For over twenty years, Paco Jimenez Franco has sailed the waters off Ojo de Liebre, a lagoon on Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, as a captain for whale-watching tours. It’s been an adventure like no other, one filled with wonder and gratitude.
Franco has been blessed to witness the majestic whales up close, a privilege he cherishes dearly. But it’s what he does when they come near his boat that sets him apart.
You see, Franco noticed something peculiar. Some of the whales had company—whale lice, tiny parasites hitching a ride on their massive bodies.
Though it’s not clear if these critters bother the whales, Franco had a hunch. He thought maybe, just maybe, the whales breached—jumping out of the water—trying to shake off these unwanted guests.
So, one day, when a curious whale came too close, Franco decided to lend a hand. He gently plucked off a few lice. And guess what?
The whale seemed to like it. She came back for more!
Franco remembered that after he took off the first louse, the whale returned, asking him to keep going. That's when their special friendship started.
Every time the whale comes by, she pops her head up, showing Franco it's time for a clean-up. It's like their special routine now, something they do together.
And Franco loves it! He says he's super excited every time he gets to help out, whether it's this whale or another one. Now, you might be thinking, isn’t it wrong to touch wild animals?
Generally, yes. But in some parts of Baja California, where Franco sails, it’s okay if the whale starts the interaction.
And that’s exactly what happened here. The whales chose Franco, trusting him to help them.
Franco has learned a lot from hanging out with these big whales. Watching how they act, he now sees how noble they are, and he respects and admires them for it.
When the whales approach Franco's boat, he notices that some of them are carrying whale lice, parasites that are often found on various parts of the whales' bodies.
Some speculate that whales breach to remove lice, although it's uncertain if the lice truly bother them.
Whale lice are tiny creatures that live on whales. They are not the same as the lice found on people and other animals but are similar to some other sea creatures.
These lice attach themselves to whales' skin, eating dead skin and any damaged tissue. Whale lice don't harm healthy whales.
They might even help by cleaning dead tissue and keeping wounds clear. However, if a whale is not healthy and has a lot of these lice, it could exacerbate the whale's skin problems.
So, while they don't usually bother healthy whales, a large number of whale lice can be a sign that something is wrong with the whale's health.
“Once I removed the first one, she approached again so that I could continue to do so.”
So, what's next for Franco and his whale pals? Who knows! But one thing's for sure—they've formed a bond as strong as the ocean itself.
In a world where we sometimes feel far from nature, Franco's story is about the beauty of connecting with other living things, even if they're as different as humans and whales. It shows us that friendship can happen between anyone, no matter who they are.
Let's take a cue from Franco and treasure those special connections wherever we find them.
Share this article:
