4-metre long whale found stranded in Lahad Datu

LAHAD DATU: A whale measuring about 4 m long and weighing approximately 400 kg was found stranded in the waters of Batu 7 Jalan POIC 2 near the Container Terminal, this morning and has been released back into the sea.
The mammal was found stranded by a private sector employee who was passing the area before contacting the Lahad Datu Fire and Rescue Department.
Lahad Datu Fire and Rescue Station Operations head, Mazran Mohammad Noh said the station received a call on the incident at 10.06am before rushing to the location and finding a baby whale that needed to be rescued.
"Initially, it was difficult to bring out the mammal due to the shallow and muddy water, but eventually the department, with assistance from the Lahad Datu Marine Operations Force (MOF) managed to tow the mammal to sea using a boat," he said when approached by reporters, here today.
He said the whale was released 3 km away from its original location and the operation ended at 2.17pm. The rescue operation was carried out by five firemen and 10 members of the MOF. — Bernama