This is the incredible moment dozens of beachgoers rescued a 26ft long endangered whale that was stranded in shallow waters.

The enormous 20-tonne Bryde's whale was seen by fisherman thrashing around in the shallow waters on the coast Ozamiz City, in southern Philippines on October 31.

They called for help and dozens of locals ran through the sea to help the distressed mammal.

Incredible footage shows residents desperately trying for several minutes to free the creature, which had become disorientated due to climate change according to marine experts.

They eventually summoned enough power to push the whale along the seabed, giving it just enough water under its belly for it to glide away into the depths.

Onlooker Maria Bustillo who watched the rescue said: ''Everybody wanted to help. I remember the men running over like the TV show Baywatch. It was a beautiful moment when the whale went back to the sea.''

Bryde's whales are critically endangered in some parts of the world and they have been extensively targeted by Japanese whalers - particularly off the coasts of Indonesia and the Philippines.

Virginia Valde, Senior Aqua-culturist in the Provincial Bureau of Fisheries and Agriculture, said: ''It is possible that the whale became lost due to changes in the climate of the sea.''

This is the incredible moment dozens of beachgoers rescued a 26ft long endangered WHALE that was stranded in shallow waters.

The enormous 20-tonne Bryde's whale was seen by fisherman thrashing around in the shallow waters on the coast Ozamiz City, in the southern part of the Philippines on October 31.

They called for help and dozens of local men stripped to their underpants and ran through the sea to help the distressed mammal. They were followed by younger woman and children who helped to heave the beast to safety.

Incredible footage shows residents desperately trying for several minutes to free the creature, which marine experts said had may have become disorientated ''due to climate change''.

They eventually summoned enough power to push the whale along the sea bed, giving it just enough water under its belly for it to glide away into the depths.

Onlooker Maria Bustillo who watched the rescue said: ''Everybody wanted to help. I remember the men running over like the TV show Baywatch. It was a beautiful moment when the whale went back to the sea.''

Bryde's whale are critically endangered in some parts of the world and they have been extensively targeted by Japanese whalers - particularly off the coasts of Indonesia and the Philippines - who prepare the meat in artisan dishes.

Virginia Valde, Senior Aqua-culturist in the Provincial Bureau of Fisheries and Agriculture, said: ''It is possible that the whale became lost due to changes in the climate of the sea. The whale may have also have then been trapped from the ropes used in the seaweed cultivation.