Warrigal
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- Sydney, Australia
Nature warriors get whale of a selfie photo
Michael Riggio and his fishermen mates helped out a whale in Middle Harbour that had rubbish wrapped around its head
TWO young fisherman have snapped a “once-in-a-lifetime” selfie with a whale they helped after noticing it swimming off Killarney Point in the northern beaches.
Collaroy fisherman Michael Riggio, 17, took an *incredible photo of himself with a whale as his friend Ivan Iskenderian, of *Forestville, removed fishing line and a plastic bag from the whale’s face on Tuesday afternoon.
Mr Riggio and his friends were returning from a fishing trip when they noticed the whale in the upper reaches of Middle Harbour, about 500m downstream from Roseville Bridge.
Ivan Iskenderian removes the rubbish from the whale as Michael Riggio takes a selfie. Picture: Michael Riggio Source: Supplied
Mr Iskenderian was able to lean over and remove the entangled rubbish on the whale as several other boats had also stopped to try and assist the whale. “It was right on his lip ... he seemed like he wanted it off,” Mr Iskenderian said.
Once removed, Mr Iskenderian said the whale *appeared to show its appreciation by slapping its fin on the water.
Ivan Iskenderian with the rubbish he pulled off the whale. Picture: Michael Riggio Source: Supplied
The whale shows the young fisherman its appreciation. Picture: Michael Riggio Source: Supplied
“It was surreal, we couldn’t believe our eyes,” Mr Iskenderian said.
- by: Bryn Kay
- From: Manly Daily
- August 13, 2015 2:00PM
Michael Riggio and his fishermen mates helped out a whale in Middle Harbour that had rubbish wrapped around its head
TWO young fisherman have snapped a “once-in-a-lifetime” selfie with a whale they helped after noticing it swimming off Killarney Point in the northern beaches.
Collaroy fisherman Michael Riggio, 17, took an *incredible photo of himself with a whale as his friend Ivan Iskenderian, of *Forestville, removed fishing line and a plastic bag from the whale’s face on Tuesday afternoon.
Mr Riggio and his friends were returning from a fishing trip when they noticed the whale in the upper reaches of Middle Harbour, about 500m downstream from Roseville Bridge.

Ivan Iskenderian removes the rubbish from the whale as Michael Riggio takes a selfie. Picture: Michael Riggio Source: Supplied
Mr Iskenderian was able to lean over and remove the entangled rubbish on the whale as several other boats had also stopped to try and assist the whale. “It was right on his lip ... he seemed like he wanted it off,” Mr Iskenderian said.
Once removed, Mr Iskenderian said the whale *appeared to show its appreciation by slapping its fin on the water.

Ivan Iskenderian with the rubbish he pulled off the whale. Picture: Michael Riggio Source: Supplied

The whale shows the young fisherman its appreciation. Picture: Michael Riggio Source: Supplied
“It was surreal, we couldn’t believe our eyes,” Mr Iskenderian said.