Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/maui-whale-rescue/

A yearling humpback whale off the coast of Hawaii found itself in a life-threatening entanglement in mooring gear.

Thankfully, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration sent a rescue team to free the whale. They ended up cutting off 140 feet of line and a plastic trawling buoy when they freed it in Maui.

A small-gauge line was wrapped around the whale’s tail and fins, with the heavy plastic buoy floating behind it. The line was getting tighter and had begun digging into the whale’s flesh.

The whale tried to evade rescuers and swam at rapid speeds, but stayed near the surface. Rescuers were finally able to get near the whale using an inflatable boat, and used a blade attached to a pole to cut the line off of it.

Rescuers will analyze the gear to figure out where it came from.

Oftentimes, these lines come from fishermen who are fishing for crab and lobster, which involves placing traps on the ocean floor and marking the spot with a surface buoy that’s connected to the traps with a sturdy line. Sadly, these lines harm whales and cut into their flesh, which hinders their ability to dive, surface for air, and feed.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration wants to remind people that if they see a whale in the water in need of help, to contact officials, as it is a federal crime to approach a humpback whale. The rescue team were able to free the whale after obtaining a federal permit.

Watch the rescue in the video below:

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Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog