Caught in the vastness of the open ocean, this magnificent humpback is in grave danger. This scarred matriarch of the deep is trapped. Rescuers are racing against time to save the entangled giant. The exhaustion is clear in its slow blink. >> Burdened by the weight of the neck, she attempts a tail slap. It's a futile effort showing just how exhausted this giant has become. Every breath is a battle. A fight against the crushing weight of the net. This is a ghost net. Lost or abandoned fishing gear that drifts for years. A silent, indiscriminate killer in the deep. With its strength gone, all it can do is wait. A giant. >> For a [music] creature of the deep, silence is sanctuary. But sometimes [music] technology here. Confirmed. We're mobilizing now. Holding fast on course. Every [music] minute counts. Out here the ocean is both the source of life. >> Every year [music] countless marine animals are ills are ens snared by abandoned fish. 11:00. Got a visual >> acknowledged. >> Mobilize the launch team. >> Copy. >> Slow approach. No sudden moves. >> All right, everyone. Eyes on the entanglement. We move slowly from the starboard side. >> Copy, doctor. We're ready. You just surfaced again. Shallow breath. CSP. >> Eva, it's a severe entanglement. >> Tail fluke and left pectoral are completely immobilized by ghost netting. >> Understood. Holding position. >> The stage is yours. >> Okay. Nice and slow. Let's not spook her. We're away. Moving to position. >> All right, team. Maintain position. We need to secure the pectoral fin first. Copy that, doctor. Winch is ready. Easy does it. Let's get a look at what we're dealing with. Oh no, it's worse than I thought. Much worse. We have tension on the line. Easy on the winch. Get the cutting tools ready. Copy that. Moving to the dorsal wrap. We need to cut the main line near the fluke immediately. Roger that. It's incredibly tight. We're cutting now. Okay, we start at the tail. Relieve the pressure first. Easy does it. One line at a time. >> Okay, gently now. Ease the tension on the fluke. Copy that. Blade is making contact. Stand by. >> I have the line. Applying pressure. >> Copy that. Steady as she goes. >> It's free. Eva, we're stable. It was just a reflexive action. We're re gently. Now align the blade just above the entanglement point. Holding steady. >> Ready to cut on your mark, doctor. Keep the tension steady. >> Blade is engaged. Making the cut now. >> Confirmed. We have movement on the line. >> All right. Good work. Let's reposition. Move us forward. Slow and easy. Target the next line. Cluster on the leading edge of that fin. Watch the fluke. Everyone hold on tight. Pole is clear. Doctor bracing starboard. Hold everyone. Hold. Wait for her to settle. All right, team. This is the critical section. Mark the time. Copy that. Cutting now. Pressure is good. All right, team. Let's move slowly towards the fluke. Keep your eyes on the line. >> Copy that, doctor. Moving [music] starboard. >> Watch the water. She's agitated. Eva, we're in position. The animal [music] is stable. Clear to make the final cut. Clear to make the final cut. Copy that. Engaging. For a moment that stretches into an eternity, [music] there is only silence. >> With the final rope gone, the team watched anxiously. >> Come on. That's it. You're free. >> Then a flicker. A slow, deliberate test of muscles long bound. A rediscovery of strength. >> With the entanglement finally cleared, the whale celebrates its freedom. >> Absolutely magnificent. >> Maintain position. Ensure clear passage. >> The rescue operation is complete. Clear on the bow. >> Look at that. A clean breath. It's going to be okay. >> The magnificent creature, finally free, begins its journey home. >> Godspeed, old friend. [music] The operation was a success, but the danger remains until she clears the area. >> All right, everyone, stand by. Watch for movement on the surface. >> Copy that, Captain. >> Standing by on the bow. >> A moment like this reminds us why we push the limits. this magnificent creature. >> After weeks of tracking, the team finally cut the last line. The whale, now free, gave them a spectacular display of gratitude. >> All clear. She's free, Captain. >> After weeks of effort, the final line was cut. >> In that moment, there is no scientist and subject, no rescuer and victim. Just [music] after weeks entangled, the humpback is finally free. And with that powerful thrust, the magnificent creature was finally free, swimming towards a brighter future.