Whale entangled in fishing line spotted near SoCal

Whale entangled in fishing line spotted near SoCal

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Story Published: Jan 15, 2009 at 8:34 PM PST

Story Updated: Jan 15, 2009 at 8:34 PM PST

By Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A whale entangled in fishing line has been spotted near the San Pedro Channel and wildlife officials are asking for help locating the animal.

Joe Cordaro, a wildlife biologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said Thursday that the whale was last seen heading west from Long Beach two days ago.

Cordaro says boaters who see the distressed whale should report it to NOAA or the Coast Guard so rescuers can cut away whatever is entangling it.

Officials don't know what species of whale they're looking for, but they are sure it is not a gray or a humpback.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.