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Wildlife biologist Joe Cordaro with the National Marine Fisheries Service in Long Beach says the whale started swimming easier after the nets were removed.
Contrary to earlier reports that the whale appeared sick and ready to die, biologists believe the whale's condition improved dramatically as it swam away.
The whale was docile and calm during the rescue, despite television helicopters hovering above and hundreds of people watching from shore.
The team used a long pole with a sickle-shaped cutting blade on the end to untangle the whale.
