A humpback whale was freed after getting entangled in rope and buoys in St Francis Bay in the Eastern Cape, the National Sea Rescue Institute said on Tuesday.
The 10m juvenile whale was found 18 nautical miles off-shore on Monday afternoon, spokesman Craig Lambinon said.
"The whale was found to be entangled in three loops of rope around its caudal peduncle at the tail and held buoyant by a floatation buoy while appearing to be anchored to traps at the end of the line on the ocean floor," he said.
One cut using specialised whale disentanglement equipment, through two of the ropes freed the whale.
"The whale swam off appearing to be healthy and diving confidently and we are confident that this operation has been successful and that the whale has survived," Lambinon said.
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