This is the amazing moment a group of fishermen rescue a battered and bloody whale that had become wedged between rocks.

The giant sea mammal, a Bryde's whale, was spotted as it thrashed against the rocky shoreline at Praia Grande, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil.

The footage, recorded on February 26, shows the whale swimming into a rocky cove and repeatedly dashing itself against the rocks.

It ended up trapped and bleeding heavily from its snout as it repeatedly rammed into the razor-sharp rocky outcrops in a narrow channel.

The stricken sea beast was spotted almost immediately by fishermen who immediately leapt into the water to try to move it to safety.

As one lowers a long plank to protect the whale's nose from the rocks, others leap into their fishing boat and row towards it.

Then, some brave rescuers jumped onto the sea just a few feet from the whale's giant thrashing tail that could have killed them with just a single swipe.

As the fishermen in the boat throw out a line which the swimmers tied around the whale's tail, it was slowly pulled backwards out of the cove towards the open sea.

But just moments from freedom, it turned back and dashed itself on another stretch of rocky coast before it was manhandled and pulled back into deeper water.

Finally, the whale was released and swam out into the South Atlantic Ocean, where it ducked under fishing nets and headed out to sea.

The extraordinary footage was captured by Marcelo Gah, of the Mar de Baleias Project, from the Municipal Foundation for the Environment, Research, Science, Technology, Sport and Leisure.

Arraial do Cabo City Hall told local media that rescuers used fishing techniques to free the whale until it managed to find its way back to open sea.

They explained: 'Although it suffered significant injuries, hope remains for the recovery of this resilient animal.'

The foundation warned people to report any stranded animal to experts.

They said: 'We ask neighbouring cities and bathers to be alert for injured animals, reporting immediately to the competent authorities.

'The incident had a positive outcome, but we warn of the possible consequences.

'When you see stranded animals, please contact the competent authorities immediately and avoid approaching them, as trying to help the animal could put both of you at greater risk.'

Bryde's whales travel every year to their breeding grounds on the Brazilian coast and are found in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans.