Juvenile humpback whale euthanised after stranding near Plettenberg Bay
A juvenile humpback whale weighing about five tons that stranded at Robberg Nature Reserve near Plettenberg Bay has, sadly, been humanely euthanised by marine authorities, assisted by SAPS, after extensive efforts to save the animal proved unsuccessful.
According to Knysna-Plett Herald, Dr Gwenith Penry, a marine mammal scientist and permitted stranding responder for Bayworld, Port Elizabeth Museum, said rescue efforts began on Monday at about 14:00 and continued until yesterday before it was decided to euthanise the 7m whale.
Penry said all protocols were followed before the whale — which had stranded on a beach between the Gap and Robberg and the Island on Robberg Nature Reserve, also known as The Wild Side — was put down.
Despite the efforts of many helpers and the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Plettenberg Bay duty crew, the rescue attempt was unsuccessful.
Emotional effort
'It took four hours to try and move the heavy whale, but each time the whale got into deeper water it turned around and headed for the beach again,' said Penry.
When it got dark on Monday, rescue attempts were postponed until yesterday.
'It was a very emotional, and a sad ending for such a beautiful animal,' said Penry.
This is the season when humpback whales migrate from their feeding grounds in the Southern Ocean to their breeding grounds in Mozambique and Madagascar.
Thanks to all involved
'A huge thanks to Plett NSRI who carried the effort yesterday. And to the Plett Stranding Network, Cape Nature rangers and other members of the public who assisted,' said Penry.
NSRI Plettenberg Bay station commander Jaco Kruger said duty crew, Cape Nature rangers and the Plettenberg Bay Marine Animal Stranding Network were activated following reports of the beaching.
'Our NSRI Plettenberg Bay crew responded to our NSRI Plettenberg Bay Station 14 rescue base, while additional NSRI crew responded to the land side at Robberg to hike to the scene. Our NSRI rescue craft Ray Farnham Rescuer, Eric Stratford, and Courtenays Rescuer were launched while additional NSRI crew, Cape Nature rangers and members of the Plettenberg Bay Marine Animal Stranding Network responded. On arrival at the scene the approximately 7m juvenile humpback whale was found beaching in shallow surf,' Kruger said.
Good Samaritans joined efforts
The teams, assisted by bystander good Samaritans, conducted extensive efforts to re-float the whale through the surf zone in a rising tide, including attempts to tow the whale to deeper waters using NSRI rescue craft.
Sadly, despite all of the extensive efforts deployed, the whale continued to beach and it was deemed by the authorities to be no longer viable to save.
Yesterday morning, marine authorities, assisted by SAPS, humanely euthanised the whale.
Samples have been collected by marine scientists for necropsy at the Port Elizabeth Museum.
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
5 days ago
- The Citizen
Watch: Seal's safe return after nearly 9-hour rescue operation
The elephant seal that gave Gordon's Bay its 'seal of approval' after shuffling through a suburban part of the harbour town yesterday was safely returned to the ocean. The Cape of Good Hope SPCA reports that the rescue operation lasted nearly nine hours. Since then, several videos of the rescue and the animal's release have been shared across social media, drawing steady interest from viewers. The wandering marine mammal, since identified by the SPCA as a southern elephant seal, grabbed national attention yesterday when reports emerged of the animal on the move along Sir Lowry's Pass Road. Videos of the unusual sighting spread like a fast-moving tide. Elephant Seal Surprise in Gordon's Bay SPCA Inspectors are currently on site in Sir Lowry's Pass Road, where a rather unexpected visitor — an Elephant Seal — has found its way into a residential area. They're actively working on a safe and stress-free plan to relocate this… — alexlansdowne (@alexlansdowne) May 27, 2025 Within minutes of being reported, SPCA inspectors made their way to the area, and the rescue mission was put in motion. Timeline of events: Call came in at 06:20 Cape of Good Hope SPCA arrived at 07:00 and assessed the situation Law enforcement, traffic services, SAPS, Gordon's Bay Security and Gordon's Bay Medical Ambulance Services secured the area and redirected traffic The SPCA, City of Cape Town's Coastal Management and Marine Unit, SANParks, Two Oceans Aquarium, Shark Spotters and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment stepped in Wildlife veterinarian sedated the animal The team undertook the daunting process of loading the animal into the city's large-game capture trailer By late afternoon, the seal was cleared by the veterinarian The animal was safely transported to Koggel Bay – approximately 16km away from Sir Lowry's Pass Road Recovery from sedation was closely monitored 'Sea you later' – rescue complete Cape of Good Hope SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham, in a post on their website, said: 'Wild animals don't always follow the script, and this seal's unexpected journey into a residential area created real cause for concern. With so many moving parts — traffic, onlookers, and a massive marine mammal in distress — it took rapid co-ordination and clear focus to keep everyone safe.' The post added that encounters with these magnificent animals on our shores are uncommon, usually limited to solitary, often juvenile, males seeking a brief respite or a place to shed their old coats. She concluded: 'We're incredibly grateful to everyone who stepped up today — for their professionalism, their compassion, and their quick response to an animal in distress.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cape of Good Hope SPCA (@capespca) Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The South African
7 days ago
- The South African
Sombre scene as rare sperm whale dies after stranding in Struisbaai
A sombre scene played out in Struisbaai when a rare sperm whale stranded itself in the surf zone near Langezandt Fisherman's Village. The event drew the attention of local marine authorities and residents as the distressed animal struggled in the shallow water. The adult whale was first spotted thrashing its tail in an apparent effort to free itself from the surf. The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Station 30 in Agulhas monitored the situation closely, but ultimately confirmed there was little they or other authorities could do to intervene safely at that stage. 'We are in contact with the DFFE Whale Disentanglement Unit and at this point, there is nothing we or anyone else can do to assist,' the station reported. By the following morning, the whale was confirmed dead, its body discovered motionless on the beach. Stephen Griffiths of the Southern Tip Extreme Dive Centre confirmed that plans were underway for the whale's removal. 'The plan is to remove the whale from where it is, take it further down the plaat [beach] and bury it out of general public view,' he said. In a respectful nod to the animal's rarity and ecological significance, Griffiths noted that the whale's remains would not be lost to time. 'Four or five years down the line, the skeleton will be exhumed, salvaged, and displayed at the new Agulhas lighthouse complex.' Marine conservation photographer Jean Tresfon, who documented the incident, noted the exceptional nature of the stranding. 'Sperm whale strandings in South Africa are very rare, which is unsurprising given that they are deep-water whales seldom seen close to shore,' he explained. The last recorded sperm whale stranding in South Africa occurred in August 2018 at Swartvlei Beach near Sedgefield, when a dead 16.37-metre whale washed ashore. The cause of this recent stranding remains unknown. As authorities proceed with the whale's burial and long-term preservation plans, conservationists continue to reflect on the delicate balance between marine life and coastal human environments. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
26-05-2025
- The Citizen
WATCH: Music and smiles at Crown Gardens tea day
Senior citizens at Crown Gardens Recreation Centre enjoyed International Tea Day with stakeholders, including the City of Johannesburg (CoJ), the private sector, higher education institutions, SAPS and locals on May 21. They were treated like kings and queens, with waiters on call. The day's presentation included many items. Speaker after speaker talked about ageing gracefully, empowerment in your later years, and watching out for scams. Activities for the day included health checks, legal advice, podiatry, chiropractic, social services, massages, fun games and entertainment. Welcoming the guests and outlining the purpose of the day, Carmen Winnaar from the CoJ said International Tea Day is observed annually on May 21, according to the United Nations. They adopted the resolution on December 21, 2019. Ward 54 Clr Marais Stuart said this day is special for the seniors. VIDEO 'This day is also in honour of the late Felicia, who wanted to do Tea Day with the residents of the south. In memory of her, we did this. Thank you to the team who put all this together. You must all have a lovely day and enjoy yourselves; there are cakes to indulge in,' he said. On the topic of CoJ's 'A City that Cares', Meshack Maluleke, regional manager of Social Development in Region F, emphasised that senior citizens are the best, and the city appreciates them. 'As a caring city, we will give you access to services. We will support you in your needs. Get healthy and exercise to live longer. We urge you to register for rebates. You paid tax for many years in your lives, now it is time for the city to give back,' he said. Maluleke also implored the young people to be volunteers at old-age homes. 'You must be friends with them to assist whenever they need help; be mindful of them,' he noted. Sponsors and partners of the day included Lee's Beauty Clinic, Lois du Plessis (singer and actress in House of Zwide), SPAR Ormonde and Ridgeway, Sasol Swartgoud, Citizen Relationship and Urban Management (CRUM) Region F, Community Development, social development and sport and recreation Departments, Pick n Pay in The Glen Shopping Centre, UJ Chiropractor Department, UJ Law Clinic, UJ Podiatry Department, SAPS Johannesburg district, Support Those in Need Together, Clicks and Twenty 21 Holdings. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
