Whale was wrapped in fishing lines and stuck to seafloor. See the heartwarming rescue

A young humpback whale entangled in fishing lines was recently rescued off the coast of South Africa — resulting in a heartwarming show of gratitude.

A local whale watcher spotted the animal on Sep. 18 off Miller’s Point, located about 30 miles south of Cape Town, according to a news release from the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), a nonprofit organization.

It was wrapped in multiple fishing ropes, which appeared to be attached to the ocean floor, leaving it trapped in place.

NSRI officials and volunteers traveled to its location in boats, where several other whales were also found — including one that was believed to be the entangled whale’s mother.

It was discovered that the young whale had four pieces of fishing line stuck to its tail and one wrapped around its body.

The rescue crew then began cutting the entanglement using specialized equipment. However, choppy sea conditions and the whale’s distressed behavior made the rescue operation difficult.

Video footage posted by NSRI shows a vessel rocking in the waves alongside the animal.

A local fishing vessel then responded to the area to assist, and its crew were able to lift the rope high enough out of the water, making it easier to cut.

After several more cuts were made, the entire entanglement unraveled, releasing the whale, which then began swimming freely.

It then swam close to several of the vessels, where it “hung around for quite some time, appearing to show appreciation for being freed.”

It then joined up with a larger whale — apparently its mother — and they swam away together.

“We are confident that this operation was hugely successful,” the release said.

Humpback whales, which are found throughout the world’s oceans, are threatened by entanglements in fishing gear , according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Globally, an estimated 300,000 cetaceans — which include whales and dolphins — die annually as a result of entanglements, according to the Marine Mammal Center.

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