AUTHORITIES WORK TO FREE HUMPBACK WHALE TANGLED NEAR HAWAII

Source: AP

KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii (AP) -- Poor weather and dangerous seas have hampered authorities in their efforts to free a humpback whale tangled in a strong synthetic line.

The 45-foot, 45-ton whale was first noticed approximately 45 miles northwest of Hilo late Friday afternoon, too late to assess it situation and reach it. There were no reports of the whale being seen on Saturday, which West Hawaii Today reported (http://is.gd/yzYDUE ) was likely due to stormy conditions.

Federal officials received several reports of the tangled whale, now pulling a red buoy, moving south along the Kona Coast on Sunday.

A tour boat with passengers on board stayed with the whale until responders arrived. The captain reported the whale seemed to be OK, but wasn't using its tail much and relied heavily on its flippers, said Ed Lyman, resource protection manager and large whale entanglement response coordinator for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.

FULL story at link.

Information from: West Hawaii Today, http://www.westhawaiitoday.com

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