While observing a herd of seals, a group of researchers noticed one that was trapped in some netting. They contacted two rescues, who collaborated to help the ailing animal.

At first, the seal was afraid of the rescuers, and struggled quite a bit as they worked to free him from the net wrapped tightly around his neck. But he eventually calmed down, and was sound asleep by the time the net was fully removed.

The workers cleaned his wound and determined that returning to the saltwater would help heal it. After ensuring the seal’s safety, they freed him back into the sea, where he could rejoin his family.

Thanks to the quick thinking of these everyday heroes, a victory for wildlife can be tallied in the long-standing fight against marine pollution.