Fishermen in Japan set whale free (video)

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Fishermen In Japan Save Dying Whale
Fishermen In Japan Save Dying Whale



This poor whale was found stranded, exhausted and injured by fishermen near Tokushima, Japan.

It almost died - but the fishermen worked tirelessly to save it, cheered on by an audience of locals and schoolchildren, until eventually they managed to set it free.

See also: Beautiful video shows baby whale 'dancing'

See also: Fearless diver rescues 45ft whale from fishing net​

Despite decades of legal protection, six of the 13 great whale species are at risk of extinction, according to the World Wildlife Fund.

The main cause of decline in whale numbers historically has been industrial whaling for meat and oil.

Commercial whaling was banned in 1986 by the International Whaling Commission (IWC), the intergovernmental body responsible for whale conservation and whaling management, but there are loopholes in the rules that mean whales can still be hunted for 'scientific purposes'.

The countries that 'scientifically' hunt whales – which include Japan – are also have a market for whale products. It's believed that science permits are sometimes used simply as a disguise for commercial whaling, says the WWF.

To find out more about how to help save whales, visit wwf.org.uk.



Entangled Humpback Whale Rescued Off Coast of Massachusetts
Entangled Humpback Whale Rescued Off Coast of Massachusetts

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