Whale’s body was covered in thousands of barnacles. What the diver did next left everyone speechless

But the whale only feebly twitched her tail fin. Even through the water, Jake could see her breathing was labored and uneven. Wasting no time, the diver approached cautiously.

His hands shook as he pulled a titanium knife from his belt. He knew barnacles could signal serious health issues in whales. Normally, their robust immune systems keep parasites in check.

Something had gravely weakened this majestic creature. Carefully nearing the whale’s body, Jake started removing the largest barnacle clusters. The task was meticulous and challenging.

He had to be gentle to avoid harming the whale’s skin while applying enough force to pry off the stubborn parasites. The calf stayed nearby, circling constantly and occasionally emitting low hums that resonated through the water. The mother whale barely stirred, occasionally blinking her massive eye when Jake entered her view.

After thirty minutes of grueling work, the diver had cleared an area roughly the size of a coffee table. But it was a mere fraction of the problem. The barnacles blanketed nearly the entire whale’s enormous body.

It was evident he couldn’t manage this alone. Moreover, his air gauge warned that his tank was dwindling. Jake surfaced quickly, memorizing his precise location.

Back on his boat, he grabbed his radio and contacted the Marine Mammal Rescue Service. His voice trembled with urgency as he explained the situation to the dispatcher. “This is Jake Thompson, certified diver…