How The Lottery Office’s Donation Helped Fund Sea World’s Most Challenging Whale Rescues This Season

Every year, thousands of humpback whales make their majestic journey along Australia’s east coast. But for some, this migration becomes life-threatening when they can become entangled in ghost nets. Luckily, the Sea World Foundation rescue team stand ready.

This year, funding from The Lottery Office has played a vital role in helping Sea World Foundation continue the fight against ghost nets.

Below are four major rescues from the season—each one a reminder of the extraordinary teamwork, skill, and urgency behind every operation.

Click ‘Play’ to see how our donation has helped the Sea World Foundation.

1. A High-Risk Rescue in Blistering Conditions – South Golden Beach, NSW

In one of the most challenging missions of the season, a distressed humpback was spotted off South Golden Beach by a member of the public who immediately alerted authorities. With temperatures scorching and winds gusting up to 40 knots, the Sea World Foundation crew launched into action.

A local drone operator kept eyes on the animal while Marine Rescue at Brunswick Heads deployed a vessel to hold visual contact until the rescue team arrived.

The whale was found in a compromised state with thick rope tightly wrapped around its tail. Battling rough seas and fierce winds, the rescue crew worked methodically for just over an hour before finally freeing the whale.

This complex, resource-intensive operation is exactly the type of rescue made possible through funding support from The Lottery Office.

2. An Unusual Location & a Race Against Time – Moreton Bay, QLD

The next rescue came from an unexpected source: Sealink Stradbroke Island operators spotted a whale in distress off Dunwich and immediately called for help.

The Sea World team raced the two-hour trip from the Gold Coast to Moreton Bay, where they joined forces with Queensland Parks Rangers. Using specialised cutting tools, they carefully removed rope entangled around the whale’s tail in a 20-minute precision operation.

With all equipment removed, the whale powered away to continue its migration—a fast, smooth rescue thanks to quick action, collaboration, and the availability of well-maintained tools funded in part by The Lottery Office.

3. Battling Big Swells & High Winds – Off the Gold Coast

Another entanglement was reported by Sea World Cruises, triggering an urgent response from the Sea World Foundation team.

This time, conditions were brutal.
Two-metre swells and winds over 20 knots made it difficult to track the whale, so Sea World Helicopters were deployed to provide aerial visuals.

Rescuers managed to attach a buoy to the trailing rope to slow the whale, but the rope eventually snapped under tension. Although the team couldn’t relocate the whale to confirm it was completely free, the efforts may have contributed to loosening the gear, and the public has been encouraged to report any future sightings.

These difficult offshore missions rely heavily on specialised vessels, fuel, equipment, and trained responders—resources strengthened by The Lottery Office’s donation.

4. A Fatigued Sub-Adult Found After Six-Hour Search – South Stradbroke Island

The fourth major rescue began when a commercial operator reported a whale swimming off Cape Moreton still entangled in equipment.

At first light the next morning, the Sea World Foundation team and Queensland Parks launched an intensive search. After six hours and two vessels combing waters from the Gold Coast to Moreton Island, the whale—fatigued and heavily entangled—was finally located in 12 metres of water.

Using strategic cutting techniques, the rescue team removed rope, pots, and remaining gear in just 15 minutes. They remained with the whale until it regained its strength and swam off strongly.

A long, resource-heavy search like this is only possible with reliable vessels, fuel, and the right gear—all supported through community contributions, including those from The Lottery Office.

The Impact of The Lottery Office’s Support

Marine rescues require:

✔Highly trained specialists
✔ Specialised safety and cutting equipment
✔ Fuel-intensive search operations
✔ Vessels that can withstand rough offshore conditions
✔ Inter-agency coordination and rapid response

The Lottery Office’s donation directly contributes to these necessities, ensuring the Sea World Foundation team can act fast—often the difference between life and death for an entangled whale.

This season’s rescues highlight exactly why ongoing funding matters. Each operation involved multiple teams, challenging conditions, and hours of dedication. And thanks to supporters like The Lottery Office, the Sea World Foundation can continue to protect one of Australia’s most iconic migrating species.

A Shared Commitment to Conservation

From drone operators to tourists, from park rangers to rescue professionals—saving a whale is a team effort. The Lottery Office is proud to be part of that team, helping ensure these magnificent animals have the best chance of surviving their long journey north.

By backing the organisations that protect our oceans, we’re helping safeguard the future of humpbacks for generations to come.

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