Tofino whale watchers save humpback whale

A Tofino whale watching outfit is being credited with saving the life of a humpback whale found tangled in several crab trap lines.

On Friday, John Forde with the Whale Centre found the distressed adult whale.

Themammal was two times the size of his boat, but that didn't discourage Forde from trying to set it free.

"We cut over 300 feet of rope and three crab floats off of this [whale] and two of the floats were wedged under the tail, keeping the whale above the water more than it should be, and the whole back of the animal and the tail was sun damaged and blistered," he said.

Forde said judging by the wounds on the whale from the lines, the mammal was likely entangled several weeks ago.

He said tags show the lines belong to an American fishing boat.

Forde said he has helped save 20 whales over the past two decades.

"[It's an] incredible feeling euphoric and hard to explain, and you just feel so good after something like this," he said.

Adrien Mullin, who also assisted in the rescue, said he was glad to have been able to help.

"[It's a] good feeling to know that you helped that animal and made it free again."