Whale shark stranded on Kerala beach is returned to sea by bystanders

Dozens of people at Varkala Beach in Kerala worked for hours to free a whale shark that had washed ashore in early December, and two rescue boats later towed the animal back to open water.

A whale shark washed ashore on Varkala Beach in Kerala in early December and drew a large response from people on the beach. The animal was reported to have become stuck in shallow water after likely becoming entangled in a fishing net. Dozens of locals, tourists, fishermen, and other beachgoers spent several hours pushing the shark back toward the sea while waves repeatedly pushed it back toward shore. Two rescue boats arrived and tied a rope around the shark's tail to tow it out to open water. Reported details: - Location and timing: Varkala Beach in Kerala, India; the stranding occurred in early December, as reported. - Suspected cause: Reports say the shark may have been entangled in a fishing net, though other factors could also have played a role. - Rescue effort: Dozens of people worked for about three hours to move the animal, and two rescue boats later towed it out to open water. - Injuries to helpers: Several people sustained cuts and abrasions from the shark's rough skin while assisting the rescue. - Conservation context: Whale sharks are listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, and the incident prompted social media praise for those who helped. Summary: The collective effort at Varkala Beach enabled the whale shark to return to open water and drew public attention to risks facing large marine animals. Undetermined at this time.