The ocean has a vast population of different kinds of sea creatures. Divers are lucky because they get first-hand interaction experience with them. They also get to document these once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Just like what happened to this diver who got approached by a sperm whale.

The chance to be swimming with massive marine mammals like Sperm Whales is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and only for the luckiest divers. And in this particular case, the whale has “asked” for the diver’s assistance. It looks like this huge creature got itself into a bit of trouble.

Sperm Whales are usually harmless to divers. That’s why this man didn’t panic or feel scared when this sperm whale approached him.

The diver who has gone viral quickly because of this heart-stopping interaction with the sperm whale is Hugues Vitry. He is not a newcomer to this sport. In fact, he is a world-famous Maurician environmentalist and underwater photographer. He is also the Diving Centre Manager and Vice President of the Marine Megafauna Conservation Organization.

In the now-viral video, the whale is seen swimming up to Vitry. You will be in awe when you see the enormous difference between the whale and the diver. For others, it might be a potentially terrifying encounter. But Vitry knew exactly what he was doing. And to panic was probably the last thing on his mind.

It turned out that the whale was attempting to tell Vitry that he needed help. It moves its massive body to the side, slowly, to signal to Vitry that it needs help before opening its jaw. That’s when the diver could see a single little hook that was clearly giving the whale discomfort.

While narrating what’s happening, Vitry points the camera at the whale. At one point while trying to help the whale, Vitry said he saw blood. He says he got the hook out of the whale’s jaw even though it was deeply embedded.

The whale maintained its calm demeanor as Vitry was trying to get the hook out of its mouth. The creature probably knew this human was not a threat but instead, was trying to help her. Which is probably why it was so willing to comply.

“For those interested, the guy (an overseas French, I’d say Reunionnais but he could from another island) talks about how strange it was to see this sperm whale come to them with its open mouth yet unagressively, how he saw that its mouth was bleeding, and how after the hook was removed he took a little time to try to make the whale understand it was over, hugged it, and how the sperm whale stood by for a while after that, showing signs that could be interpreted as gratitude.”

Vitry had even gone so far as to pat her neck and whisper something comforting in her ear. There is no doubt that by now, marine life certainly regards Vitry as a hero.

This is not the first marine animal that Vitry has rescued. Once, he untangled a whale that had become trapped in some ropes. It appears that being able to help and save these marine animals provides him a sense of accomplishment.

When it comes to protecting marine life, Vitry spares no effort. According to him, one person can change the world for the better.