When a whale gets stranded on an Australian beach -- which isn't a rare occurrence -- the public gets crazy emotional.
A young 8-metre (26-foot) beast was beached on a Gold Coast shore Tuesday night during its annual migration from Antarctica to the Great Barrier Reef.
As Sea World Australia crews worked to save the humpback whale, which remained stuck on Queensland's Palm Beach for more than 36 hours, spectators went into overdrive to help. Here's how it all went down:
Members of the public ran into the water to try and push the baby whale to freedom late at night.
Members of the public are defying authorities and trying to free a stranded humpback whale on the Gold Coast. #9News pic.twitter.com/HN22Q2iZRA— Nine News Brisbane (@9NewsBrisbane) July 9, 2014
Twitter filled with messages wishing the beached whale well.
Breaking: Whale beached again as it can't make it out of the shallows. Come on matey you can make it! #Whale #WhaleRescue— Daniel Timms (@deadsetdaniel) July 9, 2014
If you fail, try and try again...and PULL!! C'mon lil whale..@7NewsBrisbane pic.twitter.com/VgT3RvQI87— Julie Korner (@JulieKorner) July 9, 2014
It took two days, but their support worked. Willy was free at last! (Cue tears.)
I had tears streaming down my face as the whale swam out to freedom! Awesome work @SeaWorld well done! @sunriseon7 #whaleisfree— Rebecca Tolley (@rebecca_gilling) July 9, 2014
The whale isn't stranded anymore I could cry I'm so happy— Natalie (@doyouevenliam) July 9, 2014
UPDATE: Stranded humpback whale has moved into deeper water and appears to be swimming freely. #9News pic.twitter.com/er9WkV28Gi— Nine News Australia (@9NewsAUS) July 9, 2014
Local media got so excited, they started using exclamation marks.
"8.15AM: HE’S Free! The young whale stranded at Palm Beach since Tuesday night is now swimming out to deeper waters!" the Gold Coast Bulletin wrote in a live blog of the freedom mission.
Freedom! Stranded young whale freed in marathon rescue effort at Palm Beach http://t.co/Tt4zvDaKaD pic.twitter.com/rNYpDYt3CE— clicks n' whistles (@oceanCRIES) July 9, 2014
Whale is free! And it all happened live on our TV screens! @7NewsBrisbane @sunriseon7 #sun7 #whale pic.twitter.com/Eo9yimXa70— Peter Doherty (@PeterDoherty7) July 9, 2014
The baby whale then finally headed home.
As the whale swam off to try and find its pod, Australia breathed a deep sigh of relief. Boy, was that emotional.
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Post by ABC Gold Coast.
