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Entangled Humpback Whale Continues Southward Drift Along NSW Coast

Rescue teams are racing worsening weather to locate the whale before it reaches Ulladulla this evening.

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Image
Image grab taken from video footage provided by whale rescue group Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia (ORRCA) on June 9, 2025 shows a distressed humpback whale tangled in a rope swimming south of Sydney Harbou
The entangled humpback whale, as seen of Sydney's northern beaches on Sunday, June 8. Supplied picture by Steve Trikoulis

Overview

  • The adult humpback was first spotted on Saturday with rope caught on its left pectoral fin and a light-coloured buoy trailing about 20 metres behind near Sydney Harbour
  • Experts warn its early-season southward journey deviates from the normal northbound migration and signals the whale may be in distress
  • ORRCA, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Department of Primary Industry Fisheries and Marine Rescue are using drones and shore teams to track its movements
  • Forecast strong winds and rough seas are hampering sightings and could delay any safe disentanglement operation
  • Residents are urged to report sightings via the 24/7 rescue hotline on 02 9415 3333 to support ongoing tracking and potential rescue efforts