A dwarf minke whale has been released into deeper waters after becoming stranded on a Tasmanian beach.
The whale became stranded on a beach at Diamond Island near Bicheno and was reported by a member of the public about 12.30pm on Friday.
A Tasmania Police vessel was used to help wildlife authorities move the whale into deeper waters on Friday evening.
The whale responded quickly and swam off, according to a Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment spokesman.
Departmental staff will monitor the area through the night and in the morning to ensure the whale does not become stranded again.
Dwarf minke whales generally migrate south at this time of year for cooler waters after breeding further north on the Australian coast.
They are not a species that usually has mass strandings and are often solitary animals, said DPIPWE.
