Stranded humpback whale gets helped to safety by her calf

NORTH STRADBROKE, Australia: A humpback whale stranded on a sandbank in Queensland was helped to safety by her calf on Friday (Oct 7).

The distressed whale was spotted beached in shallow waters near North Stradbroke Island, east of Brisbane on Friday morning, local media reported.

Footage showed what appears to be the calf repeatedly nudging the mother in an attempt to dislodge her.

Local media reported the humpback managed to free herself at around 8.15 local time (2215 GMT) after being stuck for some 40 minutes.

Migrating humpback whales are a common sight along Australia's east coast between April and November each year, where they mate and give birth before heading to Antarctic waters, according to the Australian Government's Environment website.