With the whale season in full swing it is always shocking to hear of the death of one of these gentle giants.
“It almost feels as if you’ve lost one of your own children,” was one of the comments after a dead Southern Right calf washed up at Sopiesklip on 17 August.
This is not the first time whale watchers have come across a dead whale. Last year a dead baby Humpback Whale washed up onto the rocks near Rabie’s Pool.
According to Wilfred Chivell, CEO of Marine Dynamics, and Ralph Watson, Marine Biologist from Dyer Island Conservation Trust, many Southern Right calves are born along the Overstrand coast.
“Fortunately, it rarely happens that we do have a stranding of a diseased calf,” Chivell said.
“Whales can wash up as a result of human-induced complications, such as boat strikes or entanglements, or natural causes (disease, old age, and so on). As South Africa has a high cetacean biodiversity, a diversity of species can wash up on our shores. As a result, a high number of whale/dolphin strandings one year may not be a cause for concern if the number of different species is high.”
They do not believe at this point that there is reason for concern surrounding the cause of death of the Southern Right calf. “We took skin, blubber and muscle samples for genetic and isotope testing,” Watson said. “The Whale Unit will also be doing further research. While no external injuries or lesions were noted, we immediately noticed the number of ‘whale lice’ on the calf. This could be an indication of an underlying health condition, but further analysis might be able to clarify this.”What must people do if they discover a dead whale?
The Whale Unit in Hermanus is a partner in the Overberg Stranding Network and is intent on educating the public about what to do in situations of marine animal strandings.
The Overberg Stranding Network is a collaborative group of organisations that ensure as much information as possible is retrieved from every stranding, live animals are refloated or euthanised if necessary, and carcasses disposed of safely if they come ashore in a built-up area.
If you come across a stranded whale or dolphin on the beach or rocks it is important to:. Keep dogs and people away; . Not to tamper with the animal;. Contact the Whale Unit for assistance;. Send the location and image to the helpline.
Stranding response in the Overberg area is managed by a collaborative group of organisations:. Mammal Research Institute Whale Unit;. CapeNature;. Department of Environmental Affairs;. Dyer Island Conservation Trust;. Hermanus Animal Hospital 24-hr Service;. NSRI;. Overberg District Municipality;. Overstrand Municipality.
If you come across any live or dead whale or dolphin on the beach, please call 060 971 4301 for assistance.