Stranded whale has left Great Barrier Reef lagoon: authorities

Australian authorities believe a Bryde's whale that had been stranded in a reef lagoon off Cairns has made its own way back to open water.

The Bryde's whale -- originally believed to be a Dwarf Minke whale between six to eight meters long -- was first reported to authorities in early July, however it is believed to have been stranded inside the Elford reef -- 100 kilometers off Cairns -- since June.

A spokesperson for Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection told Xinhua on Wednesday wildlife officers had inspected the lagoon on Tuesday and found no sign of the whale.

The last reported sighting of the whale was on July 18 by helicopter pilots, who fly regularly over the reef, the spokesperson said.

Authorities believe the whale swam into the lagoon through a narrow passage, becoming disorientated.

Australian wildlife officers had previously unsuccessfully attempted to coax it out through the maze of reefs separating the lagoon from the open water. Enditem