June the Whale Finally Untangled Off California Coast

A gray whale who's entanglement off the Southern California coast captivated the public was freed today, according to the Pacific Marine Mammal Center.

The whale, nicknamed June, was freed from about 120 feet of nylon rope by a group of fishermen with the Spud Point Crab Company off the coast of Bodega Bay in Northern California, the PMMC's Melissa Sciacca said.

Rescue workers from the center were able to free the whale from some of the line that was , but when it got too dark to keep pursuing the whale, they had to give up the chase.

The rescue workers managed to attach two floats to the 40-foot whale so it could be spotted later.

The fishermen today also removed the two floats that confirmed it was the same whale, said Sciacca of the Laguna Beach-based Pacific Marine Mammal Center.

"We are so thrilled that the rescue that was started was able to be finished and have such a happy ending," Sciacca said. "We give congratulations to the team up north who did such a fantastic job in freeing June from that last bit of debris that was keeping her from swimming normally."

When the whale was freed, it showed "obvious signs of gratitude," according to Tony Anello, chief executive of the Spud Point Crab Company.

— City News Service