Humpback whale gets stuck in fishing net and almost dies in Niterói
A humpback whale was spotted this Monday morning (29) tangled in a fishing net near Praia de Itaipu, in the oceanic region of the city of Niterói, in the state of Rio.
The incident was made by two fishermen around 8 am, in an area behind an island known as "Ilha Mãe", on the right tip of the island.
According to Paulo Oberlander, one of the fishermen who helped save the whale, they noticed a strange behavior from the animal that seemed to be asking for help so it wouldn't die.
Paulo says that before trying to remove the whale from the net, the fishermen remained observing the mammal for around 1 hour.
"We watched it from afar. One time we got close to a buoy, it climbed next to the buoy and started dragging. The whale climbed right next to us as if it was asking for help."
https://admin.cnnbrasil.com.br/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/06/WhatsApp-Video-2026-06-29-at-14.36.48.mp4
https://admin.cnnbrasil.com.br/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/06/WhatsApp-Video-2026-06-29-at-14.36.48-1.mp4
https://admin.cnnbrasil.com.br/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/06/WhatsApp-Video-2026-06-29-at-14.36.48-2.mp4
The fisherman explained that he is used to encountering whales, but never with this type of behavior. Because of this, they put down their cell phones and decided to jump into the water to save the humpback whale.
"We jumped into the water and grabbed the rope to support it, so it could go away. And it gave a jerk. We felt it pulling us down a little. It gave a jerk and let go."
https://admin.cnnbrasil.com.br/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/06/WhatsApp-Video-2026-06-29-at-14.36.49-2.mp4
https://admin.cnnbrasil.com.br/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/06/WhatsApp-Video-2026-06-29-at-14.36.49.mp4
https://admin.cnnbrasil.com.br/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/06/WhatsApp-Video-2026-06-29-at-14.36.49-1.mp4
CNN contacted Inea (State Environmental Institute) which, in a statement, reported that the animal was trapped "in a fisherman's net in the Itaipu Marine Extractive Reserve".
Inea also reported after the incident, "park rangers from the state conservation unit began an operation to locate and collect the drifting net, in order to prevent it from becoming a "ghost net", posing a risk to marine fauna." According to the State Environmental Institute, the action has already been completed and the network has been rescued.
According to Inea, fishing activity is permitted in the Itaipu Marine Extractive Reserve and which follows the case, working to protect marine biodiversity and prevent impacts on fauna in state conservation units.
Humpback whale season increases tourism in Brazil | CNN PRIME TIME
INEA NOTE
"The State Institute of the Environment (Inea) informs that, this Monday (29/6), a whale became trapped in a fisherman's net in the Itaipu Marine Extractive Reserve (Resex Itaipu). The animal was promptly released by bathers at the site and continued its movement.
After the incident, rangers from the state conservation unit began an operation to locate and collect the drifting net, in order to prevent it from becoming a "ghost net", posing a risk to marine fauna. The action has already been completed and the network rescued.
Inea highlights that fishing activity is permitted in the Itaipu Marine Extractive Reserve and that it follows the case, working to protect marine biodiversity and prevent impacts on fauna in state conservation units."
Source: CNN