Animal rescuers in Massachusetts successfully freed a 15-foot minke whale on Sunday after it became entangled in fishing gear for three days.

The Center for Coastal Studies received reports on Friday about the whale's condition, but members of its Marine Animal Entanglement Response team were not able to respond immediately because of the bad weather.

By the time the rescue team arrived at the scene about 40 miles south of Martha's Vineyard, they saw that the minke whale had a rope stuck around its jaw and it was only able to swim in circles in the water. The other end of the rope was attached to fishermen's gear located on the sea floor.

Officials from the marine center said the whale was able to keep itself at the surface in order to have enough air, but its movement was severely limited. The animal was also wary of passing boats that it would often submerge when it was approached.

The rescuers set the animal free by cutting the rope using a long pole with a hook-shaped knife at one end. They were assisted by members of the U.S. Coast Guard.

While the whale sustained some wounds during its entanglement, marine experts at the center believe the animal will eventually recover from these injuries.

"I think the whale is probably doing well today," animal rescuer Jenn Tackaberry said.

"It may be a little sore from being entangled for so many days, but overall it looked to be in good condition once we released it."

Tackaberry's teammate Bob Lynch pointed out that the incident demonstrates the significance of boaters informing local authorities about entangled sea animals.

Lynch also thanked the mariner who reported the minke whale's situation. Had they not received information regarding the whale's predicament, he said, the result would have been different.

The Marine Animal Entanglement Response team of the Center for Coastal Studies is responsible for rescuing marine animals, such as whales, from entanglements in waters covered by Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. The marine center operates through funding provided by the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries.

Photo: Martin Cathrae | Flickr