This stunning video shows whales being ‘hugged’ by visitors to a Mexican lagoon – the only place in the world where humans interact with the wild mammals in this way.
The footage of the female gray whales and her calves getting up close and personal with tourists was taken by British wildlife photographer Steve Trewhella during a family holiday earlier this month.
Steve was part of a group on a small 10ft boat in the San Ignacio lagoon when the 50ft mammal came right up alongside them looking to be stroked and petted.
Visitors to a lagoon in Mexico opened their arms to hug a whale in heart-warming footage captured on video
The footage of the female gray whales and her calves getting up close and personal with tourists was taken by British wildlife photographer Steve Trewhella
The lagoon has become famous as a whale nursery and sanctuary where the female species rear their calves away from deadly predators before returning to the ocean.
And Steve, 52, of Wareham, Dorset, described it as a thrilling and unique experience.
He said: ‘We set off from San Diego on a 95ft fishing vessel that caters for wildlife watching.
‘It was a bit of a busman’s holiday for me, but the gray whales are in such decline you have to go to the other side of the world to see them.
The photographer who captured the tender moments was part of a group on a small 10ft boat in the San Ignacio lagoon in Mexico
The lagoon has become famous as a whale nursery and sanctuary where tourists can get up close
‘We then got on the smaller boat to go to San Ignacio lagoon in Mexico, which is an extraordinary place and is believed to be the only location in the world these gray whales interact with human beings on this level.
‘It is a nursery area for them where they rear the calves until they are seaworthy before swimming back out in the ocean.
‘It is used as a safe haven as larger predators can not get in there and is a good place to rear a baby whale.
The female species rear their calves away from deadly predators before returning to the ocean
The 50ft mammal came right up alongside the tourists looking to be stroked and petted
The site is strictly controlled by the Mexican Government and only licenced boats can operate within the lagoon
‘Experts say it is assumed that the whales introduce the calves to boats deliberately.
‘It is done totally on the whale’s terms.
‘It is a bit surreal. If you are on a 10ft boat and had a 50ft mammal coming towards you, you would probably get away from it.
‘It was a bit of a funny experience knowing it could smash your boat to pieces if it so wished – but they are not aggressive at all.
The tourists were afforded the chance to do something you can’t do everyday and embrace a whale
Photographer Steve Trewhella took the footage during a family holiday earlier this month
The whale was more than likely capable of smashing the tourists boats apart, but the scene is calm for it to stay relaxed
‘They lie on their side and like being rubbed.
‘You are petting whales which is a thrilling experience. We went with the sole purpose of seeing it before it is gone as they are in great decline all over the world.’
The site is strictly controlled by the Mexican Government and only licenced boats can operate within the lagoon.
Steve’s trip was run by Naturetrek, who specialise in wildlife watching tours onboard M/V Searcher.
It is believed the lagoon is the only location in the world these gray whales interact with human beings on this level
The wildlife photographer’s trip was run by Naturetrek, who specialize in wildlife watching tours onboard M/V Searcher