Record Number Of Entangled Rare Whales This Winter

Normally, scientists report one or two entangled right whales in the Southeast each year. But this year, five have been spotted. While three were disentangled - the latest success took place yesterday as researchers carefully cut rope from near the head of a whale off Georgia - two other leviathans still have rope wrapped around them.

The rope is often lethal to the animals. As the whale becomes entangled, the line can cinch into their skin - even going so deeply to cut bone over time. While some whales appear to get rid of the gear on their own, many others carry hundreds of feet of rope for years, slowly dying as it becomes hard to feed, move or infection festers in the wound.