Whale asks for help in removing plastic bag from mouth -- but first, a selfie

When a group of fisherman north of Sydney, Australia noticed a whale nudging the side of their boat, they did what anyone in 2015 would do first: take a selfie.

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But after a few quick snaps, Michael Riggio and Ivan Iskenderia noticed a fishing line and plastic bag entangled in the mammal’s face, reported the Manly Daily.

“It was right on his lip … he seemed like he wanted it off,” Mr Iskenderian told reporters.

Other fishermen in the area attempted to pull the rubbish from the whale’s mouth, but it was Iskendarian who successfully freed the whale.

One fisherman captured the event on video, adding: “That’s what he wanted all along!” when the garbage was removed.

[video]

Afterwards, the whale was seen slapping the water, in an apparent show of appreciation and happiness.

“It was surreal, we couldn’t believe our eyes,” Iskenderian said.

His friend Riggio agreed: “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, just seeing it so close.”