As the 2025 humpback whale migration continues along the Australian coast, fisherman Gage Prunster reflects on a memorable encounter from 2024. He hopes to see a young whale calf again that he helped after a tiger shark attack.
The 2024 Encounter
In 2024, Prunster was fishing off the coast of Geraldton, Western Australia, when he encountered the injured calf. Footage from the event shows the calf with deep scratches and a damaged fin. Prunster comforted the whale, creating a unique bond.
Hopes for a 2025 Reunion
Prunster, who has seen many whales during the 2025 rock lobster season, hopes the calf survived and remembers him. He told Yahoo News Australia, "I dunno, I'd probably cry maybe," if he saw the calf again. He believes whales are intelligent and hopes their close bond could mean it will remember him.