Baby whale saved after getting caught in shark nets off popular Gold Coast beach

Emergency responders worked for over and hour to free a baby humpback whale from shark netting off the Gold Coast.

A baby humpback whale has been freed after it became caught in shark netting at Kirra Beach on the Gold Coast.

The rescue mission began around 9am after reports a small humpback was struggling in the nets along the popular beach.

Distressed onlookers said they could see adult whales trying to help the young calf.

One person commenting they could see the commotion in the water from their balcony in Coolangatta.

Another stated that they could “see the adults trying to help” the calf and it was “so sad”.

“I’m so sick of seeing the beautiful mammals stuck in the stupid bloody nets,” wrote another.

Emergency responders including a Sea World rescue crew worked tirelessly for over an hour to free the baby humpback, which has now safely returned to the open ocean.