Whale tangled in buoys off Australia is rescued during ‘delicate’ mission, video shows

Sea World workers carried out a dramatic rescue operation off the coast of Australia, where a humpback whale was entangled in buoys and ropes.

The adult animal was first spotted trailing the debris near New South Wales, resulting in rescue workers being put on standby, according to a news release from Sea World - Gold Coast, Australia.

After a reported sighting on June 12, Sea World workers traveled to Fingal Head — about 70 miles south of Brisbane — to begin a search with rescue boats.

With the help of a helicopter, the workers were able to locate the whale about five miles offshore.

“The on-board team then carefully approached the whale and were able to secure a large float to the entanglement, with the friction of this added weight causing the rope and buoys to be removed from the whale,” according to the release.

“The animal was seen swimming off by us and the helicopter in the air,” Andy Mulville, a Sea World skipper, said in a video accompanying the release. The whale was “looking super strong, had a couple of mates with it, and continued north where it should be going.”

After freeing the animal, the team continued to monitor it to ensure there were no remaining entanglements.

The rescue was made possible thanks to a collaboration between multiple organizations, including NSW Parks & Wildlife, Volunteer Marine Rescue Point Danger, local dive operators and Sea World Helicopters.

“Whale rescue operations are extremely dangerous and should only be undertaken by trained professionals,” the release said.

Last month, another humpback whale was rescued off the coast of Australia after it became entangled in fishing gear, according to previous reporting from McClatchy News.

Humpback whales, which are found throughout all oceans, have been increasing in number following a 1985 whaling moratorium, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Entanglements with fishing gear, in addition to vessel strikes and underwater noise, threaten the species.

This story was originally published June 14, 2024 at 10:36 AM with the headline "Whale tangled in buoys off Australia is rescued during ‘delicate’ mission, video shows."