Time was running out when Mark Rankin and Grant Cameron arrived on a Nova Scotia Beach earlier this week.<\/p>\n
After apparently swimming too close to shore, three pilot whales were found stranded at 9 a.m., with low tide quickly approaching.<\/p>\n
If the two friends didn\u2019t intervene soon, the whales might never have a chance.<\/p>\n
One bystander told the men that the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans had been called, but this dynamic duo weren\u2019t sure the authorities would arrive in time.<\/p>\n
So Rankin and Cameron quickly set aside their plans to help a friend winterize his cabin and sprung into action. They also stripped down to their underwear.<\/p>\n
Saving the pilot whales required getting into the water and that wouldn\u2019t be easy in full winter clothes, so the two men did what was required. It was the theme of the day.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe stripped down to our briefs and did the best we could,\u201d Rankin told CTV News with a laugh. \u201cWe got the first one out (to sea) without too much issue. The second one, he took a little longer to come around, but we got him out into deeper water.\u201d<\/p>\n
One more whale remained stranded, so the team continued working, saving the third animal\u2019s life. (Watch the video below\u2026) After that, someone contacted the authorities again.<\/p>\n
There was no need for any more assistance. Rankin and Cameron had stepped in\u2014literally\u2014to save the iconic mammals.<\/p>\n
Authorities always urge citizens to exercise caution when interacting with wild animals because they\u2019re often big and powerful, and good intentions can sometimes lead to misfortune.<\/p>\n
But in this case, the heroism of the two men was purely positive. A good deed was done and three whales were saved.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo be able to touch them and look into their eyes, that\u2019s kind of what got us, I think, and made us do the right thing,\u201d Rankin said.<\/p>\n