She Thought a Humpback Whale Was on the Attack, but the Truth Is Much More Shocking

28. Instincts

Robert Pitmas explained the vast differences between altruism and compassion. When humans protect another species, this is due to their compassionate nature. We as humans are programmed to protect others from danger. Altruism, in the case of Nan and her humpback friend, resulted in the whale protecting Nan possibly due to her size reminding him of his own offspring. This may have been instinctual, but nothing is for certain.