TRENTON, N.J. – Marine mammal experts are working to disentangle a young whale off the coast of New Jersey.

Officials from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Thursday they were working to determine how the juvenile humpback is entangled, and the best course of action for freeing the animal.

The Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown, Mass., is leading the rescue. The Coast Guard and New Jersey’s Brigantine Stranding Group are assisting.

A spokeswoman for NOAA said the whale is entangled about two miles east of the Manasquan Inlet.

NOAA said a Coast Guard vessel will be standing by the animal throughout the night Thursday until Center for Coastal Studies responders arrive.