This footage was filmed and produced 3 August 2023.

Dramatic footage captures the remarkable rescue of a humpback whale ensnared in a fishing net off the north-western Colombian coast. The distressed whale struggled in the Pacific Ocean near Bahia Solano on August 3rd, hindered by the entangling net around its tail.

A combined effort by the Colombian Navy and marine wildlife experts commenced a 24-hour operation. Divers approached the massive creature equipped with cutting tools. With careful precision, they managed to free the whale from most of the net, leaving only a small piece embedded in its tail.

The humpback, a species capable of reaching lengths of nearly 60 feet and weighing over 40 tonnes, finally gained its freedom. However, as it swam away, it dived out of sight.

Captain Wilmer Roa, leader of the Pacific Coastguards, criticized the reckless disposal of damaged nets by fishermen, endangering marine life. This event occurred during the peak whale-watching season in the Colombian Pacific, where humpback whales migrate for breeding purposes from July to October. These giants travel thousands of miles from Antarctic and southern Chilean waters.

The rescue operation showcases the dedicated efforts to protect marine creatures and highlights the urgent need for responsible fishing practices.