When two friends were kayaking off the coast of Gran Canaria, Spain they saw something coming toward them that looked far too strange to be any sea creature that they knew. As it came closer toward their kayak they tried to guess what it could be, but nothing could have prepared them for the truth.
The idyllic coast off Grand Canaria is home to a vast array of marine life. Divers and snorkelers can experience the beautiful coral reefs and their inhabitants up close. The reef’s ecosystem hangs in a delicate balance, with each member of the food chain playing their part. But when the balance is disrupted, there can be devastating consequences.
Our Ecosystem
A great way to learn about this fragile and magnificent ecosystem is to see it on your own while going on trips and snorkeling or kayaking.
Scuba diving is also great and it's something you never forget for the rest of your life. This kayaker has a one of a kind moment when he spotted something strange in the water during his trip...
Right In The Face
While nothing beats this kayaker's story that made headlines around the world - "Seal Hits Kayaker Right in the Face With Octopus,"
We must admit that this couple of kayakers had a much dangerous day in Gran Canaria, which in the end turned into a rescue mission!
The Object Swimming Close
Two kayakers were having a great time while on their trip, when they spotted something swimming towards them...
The closer the object drew to the kayaks, the more confused the couple became. It had a strange color to be a dolphin, and the shape was also odd. But then, the kayakers finally realize that something was off!
Marine Life
The kayakers were familiar with the marine life in the area, but this animal matched none of their descriptions. A few feet off, the animal was visible just above the water.
It appeared to be reddish-brown in color. Had they discovered a new animal? The kayakers were familiar with the marine life in the area, but this animal matched none of their descriptions.
Unknown Creature
The creature bobbed closer, and they noticed that it didn’t appear to be swimming like any other marine creature they had seen before, either.
It was floating with the tide but seemed to be struggling against it. Behind it, something large trailed and sparkled in the water as it caught the light from the surface. What could it be?
Looking In Disbelief
As the slow-moving bundle floated closer, they stopped paddling and leaned over to get a closer look. But what they saw made them widen their eyes in disbelief.
The strange creature was obscured by a mass surrounding it and the couple knew they had to move quickly. It would ultimately be a matter of life or death.
Asking For Help
It was becoming increasingly clear that, whatever it was, the creature needed help. Luckily for it, it knew exactly who to approach.
That’s when the men realized that the dark mass trailing behind it was something far more dangerous than they had initially believed, and it wasn’t part of the creature at all. They knew they had to intervene.
Its Choice
The once graceful animal seemed to be approaching the couple in the kayak by choice, which is extremely unusual for any wild animal.
It was an act that would have dire consequences for a normal sea creature, but it moved onwards through sheer need. Its life would be determined by its choice.
Struggling For Survival
The creature seemed to be struggling -- combating whatever it was that the sea has thrown its way.
One of the men leaped out of the kayak and swam the short distance to the mysterious mass, fearing that it would not make it the final, albeit short, distance to the boat. This had now become a rescue mission, which was also dangerous considering they haven't yet learned what they were trying to save!
Saving Him
The man unthinkingly wrapped his hands around the creature’s smooth back and began to pull, but was met with resistance from whatever was hindering it.
He treaded water furiously, determined to pull the creature back to the kayak, knowing full well that other dangerous animals may be lurking close by, drawn to his frantic splashing.
Awesome Story To Tell
Hoping it won't bite, the other kayaker scooped it from the water and took a better look at the creature he finally had in his hands. Then, he realized what he was actually holding!
This is definitely a moment he'll tell his grandkids as a bedtime story! Maybe it's not as funny as the seal and octopus one, but it's a great story too!
Sea Creatures’ Struggles
The problem with sea creatures is that they're quite slippery and when this animal started wiggling, the kayaker nearly dropped it back into the water!
He finally grabbed it tighter and began rescuing it from the heavy burden it was carrying around in the water...
How Strange
That’s when he realized just what the mysterious animal was! It was a sea turtle, but why was it so strange?
You see, the kayaker had to struggle for a while because his rescue mission was far from being over...
Not Moving
The kayaker looked over at the exhausted creature, but it somehow stopped moving...
Somehow it knew it needed help and that it had come to the right place. The only people that could save it now from a watery grave, the men got to work while the turtle lay still.
One Predator For Them All
There are many dangers in the sea, but sea turtles have very few natural predators once they have reached a decent size.
It's mostly only sharks and killer whales that can take on the hard shell of a sea turtle. Still, there is one predator that has started preying on these graceful and endangered creatures.
The Greatest Enemies
The turtle had the misfortune of swimming through a net of plastic. That was the strange mass that had been trailing behind it and hindering it.
The mass of plastic weighed it down and entangled its head and legs. It made swimming nearly impossible and forced the turtle to come to one of the greatest enemies of all -- people.
He Needed His Savior
One Kayaker pulled out a knife that he luckily had on him and began the delicate process of untangling the plastic from around the animal.
It was only a few strands that had tethered it, but a huge clump hung down off of those small pieces. Freeing the turtle didn't take too long and the unnamed man smiled while he helped.
Kissing The Tiny Head
After inspecting the turtle's exterior and being satisfied that he had gotten every last scrap, the kayaker gave the cooperative turtle a kiss on the head before lowering it back into the ocean.
News of the rescue made its rounds on the internet and many users expressed and shared gratitude and praise. A reader wrote: “God bless that angel. I’m sure if that sea turtle could talk, he would have kissed him right back and thanked him for his kindness.”
13 Million Views
The Weather Channel shared the incredible video of the kayakers rescuing the poor turtle on its Facebook page. Since then, it has garnered more than 13 million views.
And the video served as yet another warning to humans to be more careful about where they leave their trash. It also signals a much larger problem in society.
9.2 Billion Tons
The production of plastic took off in the 1950s and was hailed as an inexpensive and convenient alternative for packaging and storage. Since then, estimates put the amount we’ve produced at around 9.2 billion tons.
Unfortunately, a staggering 6.9 billion tons of all plastic produced has become waste. Scientists were horrified to discover that between 5.3 million and 14 million tons makes its way into our oceans each year.
Suffering Species
Even more troubling news is that it’s unclear just how long it will take for the plastic waste to completely biodegrade. Scientists estimate a range from 450 years to, possibly, never.
Nearly 700 species, including endangered ones, are known to have been affected by ocean plastic. Some are entangled in abandoned fishing nets or discarded six-pack rings, but many more are harmed by ingesting microplastics – pieces of plastic smaller than one-fifth of an inch across.
Be Eco Friendly
There are a few small adjustments we can make in our everyday lives to reduce the amount of plastic waste in the oceans. Take a reusable bag with you to the grocery store.
It’s estimated that the US alone accounts for 100 billion disposable plastic bags each year. By reusing your shopping bag, this amount could decrease significantly!
Painless Approaches
Another painless way to reduce plastic waste is to skip straws. Americans throw away 500 million plastic single-use straws every day. That amounts to about 1.5 per person.
Buy stainless steel reusable straws or paper straws – the environment will thank you for it!
Result of Pollution
Lastly, avoid products that contain microbeads and search for natural alternatives. These microbeads make their way into the ocean and get ingested by virtually all marine animals.
Sea turtles are becoming increasingly at risk of endangerment and are less frequently seen in their natural habitat as a result of pollution.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Plastic bags and waste items are often mistaken by the age-old ocean inhabitants, jellyfish, their staple food.
So, if you would untangle a turtle in the ocean then let's stop putting plastic there too. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!