July 18th 2024.
A team of wildlife experts and specialists from Sea World recently carried out a huge rescue mission to save a 10-metre humpback whale that had become stranded off the coast of Queensland. The concerned authorities were informed about the situation on Sunday when the whale was stuck in the shallow waters of the Dayman spit sandbank in the Great Sandy Marine Park at Hervey Bay.
After assessing the situation, it was found that the whale was in a good condition but was unable to free itself from the sandbank. The team of 20 people, including wildlife rangers and Sea World specialists, quickly got to work and used boats and special equipment to gently guide the whale towards deeper waters. However, this was not an easy task as they had to wait for the tide to improve and keep the whale calm at the same time.
To ensure the well-being of the whale, the team took several precautions such as applying wet sheets to its exposed back to prevent sunburn and keeping the public at a safe distance. However, their plan hit a roadblock when a three-metre tiger shark was spotted in the vicinity, causing some concern for the safety of the rescue team. As a precaution, shark spotters were deployed and slings were used to move the whale across the sandbank.
After hours of hard work and careful monitoring, the humpback finally made its way into deeper waters and was able to swim freely once again. The team continued to keep a close eye on the whale to ensure that it was not in any distress and that it continued on its migration. By the afternoon, the whale was happily swimming away with no signs of injury or distress.
According to Senior Ranger Mike Carr, successfully rescuing stranded humpback whales is a rare occurrence. He explained that these situations can arise due to various reasons, including sickness or injury, but sometimes it can be a result of an unfortunate accident. Handling a large animal like a humpback is no easy feat and can become even more challenging if they become distressed. The team also had to navigate through external factors such as tides and the presence of sharks.
In case of any marine animal strandings, the authorities urge the public to report it immediately by calling 1300 130 372. This will not only help in saving the lives of these creatures but also aid in understanding the cause of such incidents.
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