Sharks have inhabited the Earth for approximately 400 million years and can be found in all regions of the planet. The danger they pose is widely known, making encounters with them something that people try to avoid at all costs. However, in some situations, these encounters are unavoidable — as was the case with photographer Benoît Girodeau, known as Natty Gong, while diving in Mauritius, East Africa.

During the dive, Benoît was surrounded by an oceanic whitetip shark, one of the most aggressive species in the seas. Fortunately, he was not alone. Two sperm whales intervened and protected him from the predator. The impressive moment was captured on video and shared on social media.

According to Benoît, the shark made an “aggressive approach” but quickly retreated when it was blocked by one of the whales. “With its mouth wide open, it chased the shark before checking my situation and retreating,” he said.

The shark was eventually driven away from the area, but soon returned, swimming slowly toward the diver. At that moment, the second whale appeared and blocked the predator’s approach again, using its huge body as a barrier. “The sperm whale didn’t let go and continued chasing the shark,” Benoît said.

Even after this second intervention, the shark insisted on approaching. It was then that one of the whales bit its tail, preventing it from continuing. “The shark tried to come back to me, but I was well protected and the other whale came back to surround me,” concluded the diver.