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2 clusters · 2 sources · 21 days · First seen · Last updated
Pop Tart humpback whale rescue
Overview
In early July 2026, a humpback whale known as “Pop Tart” was found tangled in roughly 98 feet of fishing rope off Victoria, British Columbia. Local whale‑watching operators and the Pacific Whale Watch Association reported the incident and coordinated visual monitoring despite fog and rough seas.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada dispatched a Marine Mammal Response Team, while crews from British Columbia and Washington, U.S., provided support. Drone footage documented the rope wrapped around the whale’s pectoral fin, and a tracking buoy was attached to the entanglement gear.
By July 8, the whale had been fully disentangled and was observed swimming freely near Race Rocks. The operation highlighted the hazards of marine‑animal entanglement and demonstrated effective cross‑border collaboration between Canadian and American responders and local tourism operators.
A follow‑up report on July 31 confirmed that “Pop Tart” had recovered and continued to travel through the Salish Sea, underscoring the success of the rescue effort.
Entities
Orca Spirit Adventures · Pacific Whale Watch Association · Pop Tart · Fisheries and Oceans Canada · Eagle Wing Tours
Timeline
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12 days ago
[INTERNATIONAL] 2 sourcesHumpback Whale ‘Pop Tart’ Freed After Entanglement off British ColumbiaHumpback whale “Pop Tart” was rescued from 98 ft of fishing rope off British Columbia after a joint Canada‑U.S. effort by whale‑watching crews; the whale was freed on July 8.
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about 1 month ago
[INTERNATIONAL] 20 sourcesHumpback whale Pop Tart rescued from fishing gear off British ColumbiaHumpback whale Pop Tart, a calf of “Big Mama,” was freed from a 30‑metre fishing‑gear entanglement off BC after a joint effort by Canadian and US whale‑watchers and DFO, confirmed gear‑free by drone on July 8.
Sources
ca.sports.yahoo.com · thecooldown.com