Rescuers work tirelessly for four hours to free 25-tonne distressed humpback whale after it became tangled in a 100-metre rope
- A humpback whale was heading north on Sydney's coast with a rope on its tail
- After the crews attached buoys to the rope, the whale helped by kicking it off
- The whale was unharmed and continued travelling north in a pod of three
Rescuers spent four hours trying to free a 25-tonne whale after its tail became tangled in a rope on Tuesday.
Whale watchers first spotted the struggling mammal near La Perouse, south of Sydney, and called authorities.
Officers from the National Parks and Wildlife Services and the Office of Environment and Heritage quickly intervened when the whale neared the entrance of the city's harbour.
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Rescuers spent four hours trying to free a 25-tonne whale after its tail became tangled in a rope on Tuesday
Peter Bergman, a rescuer with National Parks and Wildlife services told 7 News that although the whale was moving, it was at a slower pace than it would have liked.
'It was probably struggling to keep up with the other two whales that it had in escort,' he said.
They avoided the humpback's two adult companions as rescue crews managed to attach two buoys to the rope.
The humpback gave the crews a little help by kicking the rope off as they applied the floating devices to it.
'It's an inherently dangerous operation, so you can't help but say there's a little bit of fear in there but that's where the courage of these guys comes in,' Mr Bergman said.
Whale watchers first spotted the struggling mammal near La Perouse, south of Sydney, and called authorities (pictured)
As if to thank the rescuers, the whale barrel rolled to the top of the water, confirming it was finally free.
Four hours after it all began and a kilometre from Sydney's North head, the whale joyfully bashed its tail and happily swam across the water.
Rescue crews were in direct contact with the whale for up to an hour before successfully removing the marine debris.
Authorities are currently investigating where the rope came from, but it is believed to have been connected to a fishing trap and up to 100-metres-long.
The whale was unharmed.
The humpback gave the crews a little help by kicking the rope off as they applied the floating devices to it
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