AP) — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says a humpback whale that was tangled in heavy line has been freed off Hawaiʻi. NOAA says the male whale was entangled so tightly that his life was in danger. A tour boat first spotted the tangled whale Sunday. A NOAA team cut the whale free on Tuesday off the island of Maui. NOAA says the heavy gauge line was wrapped tightly around the whale’s head, preventing it from feeding. NOAA will investigate the line to determine its origin and learn how to reduce its risk to whales.

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