Rescue operation successfully frees stranded humpback whale in Australia

On Sunday, April 12, a 12-ton humpback whale became stranded on a sandbar near the Forster-Tuncurry Bridge in New South Wales, Australia. The juvenile whale was trapped in shallow waters near Wallis Lake for approximately 24 hours. A coordinated rescue effort involving marine animal specialists, government agencies, and volunteers was launched to assist the animal. Initial attempts to guide the mammal toward deeper water were unsuccessful. Rescuers eventually utilized specialized slings placed under the whale's fins to tow it with a vessel. Despite the whale becoming stuck in a secondary shallow area during the process, the operation concluded successfully the following afternoon. The mammal was safely escorted by boats until it reached open waters. While reports mention a 12-ton whale, some international sources identify the animal as a 30-foot humpback whale.