Orcas, or killer whales, can weigh between 8,000 to 12,000 pounds, making self-rescue almost impossible when stranded on land. However, these six incredible rescues show the compassion of people when these majestic creatures needed help the most.

In July 2015, a female orca stranded on the British Columbia coastline was kept damp for eight hours by rescuers until she was able to swim back to her pod. In September 2019, a team in Argentina fought the tides to save seven orcas, managing to rescue six.

Russia’s icy waters were the site of two more rescues. In one instance, a calf stranded in shallow waters cried for help, and a group of locals responded, ensuring its safe return to sea. Similarly, Russian rescue workers risked the cold to save orcas trapped in blocked ice.

Lastly, in April 2022, a stranded orca in Denmark was rescued by attaching a rope to the whale and pulling it back into the ocean, where it safely reunited with its pod.

These heartwarming stories remind us of the extraordinary bond between humans and nature.