Whale liberated from fishing waste in Sydney Harbour's waters.
Emergency responders became aware of a 13-meter whale in Sydney Harbor on a Thursday afternoon, following a report to the volunteer rescue organization ORRCA's crisis line.
Members of the New South Wales large whale entanglement squad joined the search and attached a GPS tracker to the creature, but the device dropped off shortly afterwards.
The rescue efforts were momentarily suspended as night fell and sunset approached, but the whale was spotted again in the harbor at sunrise the next day, prompting the operation to restart.
News channels broadcast live footage from a helicopter hovering overhead as the rescuers approached, attempting to position themselves close enough to slice through the ropes with specialized cutting tools. The whale's dark silhouette could be seen swimming beneath the waves, occasionally breaking the surface to flaunt its powerful tail.
Team leader Luke McSweeney commented, "The difficulty with this whale was its immense energy. It took us quite a while to exhaust it enough to approach safely."
Rescuers in inflatable boats attempted to slow the whale by attaching buoyant oranges, increasing its hydrodynamic resistance. Once they were close enough, they utilized their precision-engineered cutting instruments, blades affixed to poles, to snip the ropes that bound the whale.
"As soon as it was liberated, it quickly swam away, appearing most majestic," said Ben Khan, area manager for New South Wales Parks and Wildlife Service.
Humpback whales traverse Sydney via a renowned migration route known as the "whale highway," reported wildlife expert Vanessa Pirotta. Along the way, they occasionally become entangled in fishing equipment.
"The disentanglement squad accomplished something truly astounding. It's an incredibly hazardous and unpredictable task," said Pirotta.
"Each whale entanglement is distinct, and despite being a recurring issue around the world, particularly in Australian waters during humpback whale migration," she added.
The operation took place within one of Sydney Harbor's primary thoroughfares, where ferries run between Circular Quay and Manly.
Authorities established a safety zone, warning vessels to maintain their distance, but sailing continued unaffected according to officials.
"We managed to conduct the operation without any setbacks to passenger service or on-schedule ferry rides, which is a noteworthy achievement as well," said Shane Davey from NSW Maritime.
Following its release, the whale was observed swimming south, beyond the harbor's boundaries.
"With its entanglement resolved, we can only hope it continues its journey south," said Davey.
The successful disentanglement of the whale gained global attention, with news outlets in Australia and around the world reporting on its story.
Despite facing challenges in Australia's waters, humpback whales continue to migrate through the world, showcasing their resilience and beauty.
