SYDNEY, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Another whale has become trapped in shark deterrent nets off the Australian State of Queensland, prompting a lengthy and dangerous rescue on Thursday.
The humpback whale was spotted with its tail wrapped up by the net at around 08:00 a.m. local time shortly after which two Gold Coast-based Marine Animal Release Team (MART) crew were dispatched to free the creature.
Choppy conditions made the rescue particularly dangerous, however, the experienced crew were able to get the whale free from the net shortly before midday.
"The whale was breathing and in a calm state while it was being released and swam away strongly," Queensland shark control program manager Jeff Krause told the ABC.
"Today's successful release is another demonstration of the expertise of our MART crews who are very skilled in safe release techniques for these animals."
However, Krause added, "successfully releasing whales is dangerous work at the best of times and today's release was complicated by the choppy sea conditions on the Gold Coast."
Humpback whale's migration season, which takes them along Australia's east coast to warmer waters in the north, has only just begun and more whales are expected to meet the same fate as they attempt to make the journey.
Animal rights groups have called for the nets to be removed at the start of whale migration season as was the case in the further south State of New South Wales.
