WATCH: Trapped whale freed by Italy’s Coast Guard

The Italian Coast Guard have freed a sperm whale that had become entangled in an illegal fishing net off Italy’s southwestern coast near Salina island.

The Lipari Coast Guard were alerted to the trapped whale by biologists working in a nearby turtle sanctuary.

A video released by the Coast Guard shows divers cutting free the trapped ten-metre long sperm whale whose tail had got caught in the net.

https://www.facebook.com/guardiacostiera/videos/321268352607953/

After the divers cut the whale loose, it reportedly swam away to join three other whales waiting nearby.

Authorities have confirmed that the net was not legal and the owner has been tracked down and fined.