BALLINA, Australia (3 August 2004) -- Environmental officers have worked hard to free a whale that was entangled in fishing rope off the NSW north coast. The humpback whale had been entangled in the rope and buoys for two days off Ballina. Lawrence Orel of the National Parks and Wildlife Service says the adult whale had managed to swim to Brooms Head. Mr Orel says it is difficult and dangerous to rescue a large whale. "All of these operations involving whales are particularly difficult and challenging because we're certainly dealing with very large animals," he said. | | "This whale was probably in the order of 14 to 15 metres, it was an adult, they're about 40 tonnes, which is about the weight of a semi-trailer, so they're very big animals and they're wild animals. "They're not used to humans being near them, that's something that is really important is making sure that the safety of people in rescuing them is paramount." SOURCE - ABC |
