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Humpback whale trapped in nets fights to free itself and swims to safety

The whale was spotted struggling with rope wrapped around one of its fins that sparked fears a rescue operation might have had to be launched in a bid to save the animal

The first humpback whale ever spotted close to a British beauty spot freed itself after getting entangled in a net and miraculously swam away to safety.

The whale was seen struggling with rope wrapped around one of its fins on Tuesday, sparking fears a rescue operation might have to be launched. But in a major twist, the whale was later seen swimming freely after apparently managing to escape on its own.

The rare sighting off the coast of Torbay, Devon, was witnessed by boat skipper Tristan Northway. Tristan said he was left stunned by the incredible encounter.

[A photo of the whale ]

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The whale was seen off the coast of Devon(Image: Jam Press/Tristan Northway)

He added: "Some people in a boat told me they saw the whale with a rope around its fin. But then they saw it manage to escape.

"When I saw it later there was no rope on it. It was amazing to see. As far as I know there has never been a humpback seen off Brixham before. What a thrill."

The sighting of a humpback whale off the Devon coastline is extremely rare and left wildlife enthusiasts buzzing with excitement. Locals feared the whale may have needed emergency help after reports it had become entangled, but the mammal appeared unharmed when later spotted in open water.

[A stock image of a whale ]

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The whale (not pictured) sparked fears a rescue mission might be needed (Image: Getty Images)

There have been other instances of humpback whales being freed after getting trapped or stranded. Earlier this year, a whale that got into trouble in shallow waters on the German coast was rescued by a specialised barge five weeks after it was first trapped.

Local authorities launched a major operation to rescue the humpback, lovingly named "Timmy" after he was stranded and entangled on Timmendorfer Beach Lbeck Bay in the northern state of Mecklenburg Vorpommern on March 23.

The whale's situation and rescue operation that followed captured national attention, with attempts to lure it into the open failing initially. Entrepreneurs, in a stroke of genius, have now successfully removed the whale out to the North Sea via Denmark by luring the huge mammal onto a specialised barge filled with water.

[A photo of the whale off the Devon coast ]

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The whale being spotted off the coast of Devon was a very rare event(Image: Jam Press/Tristan Northway)

But experts largely distanced themselves from the popular operation said the whale could be "severely compromised."

The panel's statement read: "Claims that this whale can now be successfully guided over long distances to safety are not supported by the repeated re-stranding events or by the animals deteriorating condition, and risk creating false hope and unrealistically raising public expectations.

"Observations of the whale should also be stopped to minimise disturbance and prioritise the animals welfare. The Panel also emphasises that public discussion should remain grounded in the animals clinical condition, the repeated re-stranding history, and realistic welfare-based assessment."

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