On Wednesday, May 12, Pacific Marine Mammal Center marine biologists were called in to help a gray whale that had been spotted swimming since Monday in Dana Point Harbor.

Dean Gomersall, animal care supervisor for the Pacific Marine Mammal Center and three other rescuers spent several hours carefully moving their small boat toward the 20-ton female whale to disentangle her mouth, body and fluke from over 150 pounds of fishing nets and ropes.

Mr. Gomersall described his relief at seeing the 35-foot marine mammal swim free as she appeared to head toward the open sea. However, Lilly was seen again in the harbor a day later, and whale experts are now keeping a watchful eye for her well-being.

A big bravo and many thanks, Mr. Gomersall and Pacific Marine Mammal Center team, for your loving efforts to free whale Lilly from dangerous fishing artifacts. Wishing her a soon recovery to normal health and reunion at sea with her pod of fellow marine mammal family and friends.

http://surfspots-gps.com/rescuers-disentangle-gray-whale-lilly-perks-up-heading-back-to-open-sea
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/05/12/state/n154306D34.DTL
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20100513/us-wayward-whale/
http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_15082855