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Whale Freed From Fishing Gear in Dramatic Rescue
16 Jun
Summary
- A young humpback whale was freed from fishing gear entanglement off the Massachusetts coast.
- Rescuers used a special tool to cut rope anchoring the whale's tail.
- The whale has existing deep wounds from a previous entanglement event.
A young humpback whale was rescued from fishing gear entanglement in the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary off the coast of Massachusetts. The rescue occurred on Sunday, with the Marine Animal Entanglement Response team acting swiftly ahead of forecasted storms.
Rescuers located the whale with rope around its tail, acting as an anchor. They utilized a specialized tool with a hook to make precise cuts, successfully freeing the animal. The team remained with the whale until it could swim freely again.
Researchers indicated a positive prognosis for the whale, despite noting deep wounds from a previous entanglement over the last month. This incident highlights the ongoing dangers of entanglement and vessel strikes for whale populations.
