Crews free entangled whale off California coast

Marine biologists managed to free a humpback whale that had become entangled with a steel rope attached to a 300-pound crab trap.

KSBW-TV reports that the whale was freed Thursday off the coast of Santa Barbara after it was found on April 27 in Monterey Bay dragging the heavy fishing gear.

Rescue efforts began on April 28, when a team of marine biologists found the whale and began working to cut it free.

The heavy crab pot was preventing the whale from diving to feed.

Strong winds and 10-foot seas in April forced the crew to shore before they could finish, but they were able to place a satellite tracker on the creature.

On Thursday, the team caught back up with the whale and managed to cut away the rope completely.