Write A Paragraph Titled Inside A Whale

A lobster diver, Michael Packard, was swallowed whole by a humpback whale off the coast of Provincetown, Massachusetts, on Friday, June 11, 2021. He was released approximately 30-40 seconds later and survived.

This unprecedented incident has shocked the local fishing community and marine biologists alike, raising questions about whale behavior and the potential dangers faced by divers in whale habitats.

The Incident

Packard was diving for lobster at around 8 AM, approximately 45 feet deep, when the encounter occurred. He reported feeling a "huge bump" followed by complete darkness.

Initially, he believed he had been attacked by a shark, a common fear among divers.

However, he quickly realized he was inside something's mouth, not being bitten or harmed by teeth.

Inside A Whale

Packard described the inside of the whale's mouth as completely black. He said he could feel the whale's tongue and muscles contracting.

He feared for his life, thinking he would die inside the whale.

After what felt like an eternity, but was estimated to be 30-40 seconds, the whale surfaced and spat him out.

The Rescue

His diving partner, Josiah Mayo, witnessed the event and pulled Packard from the water. He was immediately rushed to Cape Cod Hospital.

Packard sustained soft tissue damage to his leg but no broken bones. He was released from the hospital later that day.

Mayo confirmed the story, stating he saw the whale surface and eject Packard.

Whale Behavior

Experts believe the whale, likely a juvenile, was engaging in filter feeding, a common practice among humpbacks.

Humpback whales typically feed on small fish and crustaceans, and it's highly unusual for them to intentionally swallow a human.

Dr. Jooke Robbins, Director of Humpback Whale Studies at the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown, confirmed this was likely an accidental ingestion during feeding.

She noted that the whale's throat is not large enough to swallow a human whole, which explains why Packard was quickly released.

Ongoing Developments

Marine officials are monitoring the whale population in the area to ensure no further incidents occur.

The incident is a stark reminder of the potential dangers of interacting with marine life and underscores the importance of safety protocols for divers.

Packard plans to return to diving once he recovers, acknowledging the rarity of the event and his fortunate survival.