FREE WILLY
Humpback whale measuring 35 feet long is trapped in California harbour
Hundreds gathered as wildlife experts used underwater sound tech to guide the wayward whale away from Ventura Harbour
RESCUERS have been scrambling to help a trapped humpback whale find its way back into the Pacific Ocean after the massive mammal swam into a southern California harbour.
Crowds of hundreds gathered as wildlife experts used underwater sound tech to guide the wayward whale away from Ventura Harbour to freedom.
3
3
3
Patrol officers said the 35-foot whale had been stuck for a couple of hours before authorities arrived, after swimming in just before 6 p.m. local time.
most popular
Footage shows the humpback wading back and forth among boat slips in Navigator Way.
Crews manning at least four rescue boats were trying to coax the creature back out to the harbour mouth and said they planned to play recordings of whale sounds to help the process.
The US Coast Guard, National Parks Service and local authorities are all involve in the effort.
One wildlife expert commented that the whale appeared to be a healthy juvenile, according to USA Today, as adult humpbacks measure between 48 and 62 feet.
"It's amazing, absolutely amazing," one witness said. "I've never seen a whale this close up before."
Another spectator was less happy about the situation, worrying about the safety of the likely confused animal.
"It's heartbreaking to see the whale lost and turned around. It's beautiful to see so close but sad circumstances.
Authorities say the commotion caused by engrossed audiences may have agitated the whale and have backed off in the hope it will find it's own way out.