Entangled humpback whale freed off Chatham coast

CHATHAM, Mass. (AP) — Marine biologists say a young humpback whale has been freed after becoming entangled in fishing gear five miles east of Chatham.

The Provincetown-based Marine Animal Entanglement Response Team responded at about 7:30 a.m. Thursday after the whale was reported by recreational boaters.

The Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies tells the Cape Cod Times (http://bit.ly/Ncodwz) the whale was “heavily entangled and anchored in place” with line through its mouth and wrapped several times around its body and tail.

The marine mammal was freed using hook-shaped knives at the end of long poles and swam away with bruises.

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Information from: Cape Cod (Mass.) Times, http://www.capecodonline.com

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