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ABC South West WA

Marine Incidents

Friday, July 17, 2026, 3:41 pm

Researchers saw the whale playing with dolphins many times over two weeks.

In short:

A young southern right whale was stuck in the Peel-Harvey Estuary for over two weeks.

People saw dolphins helping the whale to deeper water.

What's next?

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions is less worried about the whale now.

Marine researchers are happy that the whale is back in the ocean.

The whale was 10.6 meters long and had trouble swimming in the shallow estuary. It was stuck for over two weeks. The whale was helped by dolphins.

Locals watched the whale, which they called 'Gail the Whale', for almost three weeks.

The whale went into deeper water with the help of dolphins on Thursday.

A director said dolphins might have helped the whale get back to safety.

The young whale was stuck in the estuary for over two weeks.

Back to the ocean

The whale needed the right conditions to get to the open ocean.

A director said the whale swam free after a few tries on a high tide.

The whale entered the estuary on June 28 and couldn't find its way out.

There were concerns about how long the whale could survive in the estuary.

It's not known why the whale went into the estuary, but the director said whales are curious.

The whale played with local dolphins, which helped guide it to deeper water.

Friendly help

A woman from the Dolphin Discovery Centre saw dolphins help a stranded whale before.

Last year, a humpback whale was stuck in a bay, and dolphins helped it.

The woman said dolphins form a group to guide the whale.

Dolphins try to help the whale with sounds and movements.

It's amazing.

The woman said dolphins helping whales is a known thing.

Dolphins often play with whales.

Whales invite dolphins to play by showing their belly.

Dolphins swim with whales as they move through the water.

It's a beautiful thing to see.

The relationship between dolphins and whales is not always friendly.

It can be competitive and about territory.

Dolphins surrounded a young southern right whale.

If the whale goes back into the estuary, there's less concern for its safety.

The whale showed it can safely go between the estuary and the ocean.

Friday, July 17, 2026, 3:41 pm

Friday, July 17, 2026, 6:10 pm

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