Marine researchers in Western Australia are relieved after a juvenile southern right whale, affectionately nicknamed "Gail the Whale," successfully returned to the ocean following more than two weeks stranded in the Peel-Harvey Estuary.

The endangered whale, measuring 10.6 metres long and about 1.8 metres deep, faced challenges navigating the estuary's shallow waters. Locals monitored the whale closely for nearly three weeks.

On Thursday afternoon, the whale managed to reach deeper waters with the assistance of a pod of coastal dolphins. According to Rodney Peterson, director of Geographe Marine Research, "When the whale got across the sandbar, it appears a pod of coastal dolphins has turned up and possibly may have led it back out to safety."

Peterson noted that a combination of factors was necessary for the whale's successful escape. "Yesterday on a high tide with a falling barometer as well, it was able to swim across that sandy section and make its way into the cut, and after a couple of failed attempts it finally swam free."

There were concerns about how long the whale could survive in the estuary, highlighting the significance of its return to open ocean.

This incident follows a similar event last year when a humpback whale was stranded in Koombana Bay in Bunbury, approximately 170 kilometres south of Perth.

Observers also noted behaviors suggesting interaction between the whale and dolphins, such as the whale exposing its belly, seemingly inviting play, and dolphins forming coordinated formations.

Sources

ABC Australia News by Madigan Landry and Chela Williams