Massive Fin Whale Rescued Off Mexico's Isla Contoy

More than 40 people worked together to rescue an 18-meter fin whale after it became stranded near Isla Contoy off the coast of Cancun, Mexico earlier this month.

Specialists of the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas were able to secure the beached whale with ropes near Faro Beach and tow it out to deeper waters before it eventually swam out to open sea.

More than 40 people teamed together to rescue a fin whale after it became stranded off the coast of Isla Contoy in Mexico.https://t.co/TcgPtSFpqypic.twitter.com/9qCHiLsMay

- ITV News (@itvnews) August 7, 2018

The fin whale is the second-largest animal on the planet behind only the blue whale, reaching up to 26 meters (85 feet) in length. They feed on crustaceans, small fish, and plankton.

Isla Contoy, which is a part of Quintana Roo and located north of Isla Mujeres, was declared a national park in 1998. The island's lagoons and jungles are home to more than 152 species of migratory birds.

Whale sightings are not uncommon in Mexico as the destination is among the premier places for whale watching.

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