Michael Riggio, 17, (left) took selfies with the whale while his friend Ivan Iskenderian helped the creature. Photo / Michael Riggio, Instagram
A group of young fishermen have captured an incredible selfie with a whale that swam up and seemed to ask them for help in removing plastic bags caught in its mouth.
The friendly whale nudged their boat as it made a surprise appearance in Middle Harbour, north of Sydney.
The men soon noticed the whale, which circled the boat and swam underneath it, was asking for help and they pulled out rubbish bags and fishing lines stuck in its mouth.
Michael Riggio,17, took selfie snaps while his friend, Ivan Iskenderian, stretched over the boat to help the whale.
Speaking to Manly Daily, Mr Riggio and Mr Iskenderian said the scenario was unbelievable.
"It was surreal, we couldn't believe our eyes," said Ivan.
The fishermen were excited about being up close to the creature, and laughed while attempting to help the whale and record what was happening, .
Ron Kovacs was fishing in another boat opposite the young fisherman when the whale made its first appearance.
As the whale popped its head out of the water, Mr Kovacs noticed it needed help.
"He just popped his head up so you could reach out and remove the garbage. He tried on my boat but we are a bit higher," Mr Kovacs said
"I made one grab for the bag but missed. He was very inquisitive and more interested in us.
"You could see that big eye coming out watching us. They are not dumb for sure."
As the whale made its way over to the other boat, Mr Kovac captured the event on his camera.
"He has a big scar on his back. He had some fishing line and two plastic bags on his head. I managed to grab at it but missed.
"He later came up to a trailer boat and presented his head as they removed the bag," Mr Kovacs wrote.
After the rubbish is removed from the whale's mouth, it is seen swimming away while flapping its fin - apparently showing its appreciation.
- Daily Mail
Authorities thought it was a simple missing person's case until they probed a laptop.