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Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Science
- Miami Herald
Deep sea creature washes ashore in South Africa village, photos show. ‘Very rare'
A sperm whale recently washed up on a beach in South Africa, a strikingly rare occurrence that hasn't happened in recent memory. The massive marine animal stranded in the shallow waters off Langezandt Fisherman's Village — located about 130 miles southeast of Cape Town — on Friday, May 23. Hours later, the whale was discovered dead on the shore, Jean Tresfon, a marine conservation photographer, wrote in a Facebook post. Photos and videos posted by Tresfon show the behemoth lying on its side, partially embedded in the sand. Its mouth was agape — revealing a row of sharp teeth on its lower jaw — and blood could be seen on its scarred head. 'Really sad to see,' Tresfon wrote. A video posted May 23 by the National Sea Rescue Institute, a South African non-profit, shows a whale floundering in the surf zone near the same beach. 'We are in contact with the DFFE Whale Disentanglement unit and at this stage there is nothing we or anyone else can do to assist,' the organization wrote before confirming in a follow-up post that the animal had died. The incident was described as highly unusual. 'Sperm whale strandings in South Africa are very rare,' Tresfon wrote, 'which is unsurprising given that they are deep water whales which are seldom seen close to shore.' Prior to this occurrence, the last documented stranding in South Africa took place in 2018 at Swartvlei Beach — about 215 miles east of Langezandt Fisherman's Village. The largest toothed whale species on Earth, sperm whales are found in deep parts of every ocean, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The animals — which can weigh up to 45 tons — dive up to 2,000 feet deep to hunt squid, sharks and other deep sea dwellers. Threats to the species include entanglements with fishing gear, ocean contaminants and vessel strikes, according to NOAA. And, while the circumstances of this stranding are unusual, cetacean strandings in general are a relatively common occurrence. Globally, an estimated 2,000 whales and dolphins become stranded every year, with the majority being fatal, according to the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida, a non-profit.
The South African
6 days ago
- General
- 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 South African
20-05-2025
- General
- The South African
Juvenile Humpback whale euthanised after beaching at Robberg Nature Reserve
A juvenile Humpback whale that beached at Robberg Nature Reserve has been humanely euthanised despite extensive rescue efforts by marine authorities, local organisations, and volunteers. At approximately 14:39 on Monday, 19 May, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) in Plettenberg Bay, CapeNature rangers, and the Plettenberg Bay Marine Animal Stranding Network were alerted to a whale appearing to be in distress at The Wild Side of the Robberg Nature Reserve. NSRI Station Commander Jaco Kruger confirmed that both sea and land rescue teams were immediately mobilised. Rescue craft Ray Farnham Rescuer , Eric Stratford , and Courtenays Rescuer were launched, while teams also hiked to the site. The whale, approximately 7 metres long and identified as a juvenile Humpback, was found stranded in the shallow surf. Teams, along with bystander Good Samaritans, undertook extensive efforts to re-float the whale during the rising tide, including towing attempts using NSRI rescue craft. Despite these efforts, the whale continued to re-beach, showing signs that it was no longer viable to save. On Tuesday morning, marine authorities, assisted by the South African Police Service (SAPS), made the difficult decision to humanely euthanise the whale. Marine scientists collected tissue samples for necropsy to better understand the whale's condition and potential reasons behind the stranding. Commander Kruger commended all involved, including community volunteers, for their unwavering commitment to attempting a rescue. 'Bystander Good Samaritans, and all involved in trying to save the whale, are commended for the extensive efforts,' he said. 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.
TimesLIVE
20-05-2025
- TimesLIVE
Divers recover body of 22-year-old man off KZN south coast
A body believed to be that of a 22-year-old man who went missing in the surf at Southbroom on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast was recovered by police divers on Monday. The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) on Tuesday said its Shelly Beach crew was activated at around 1.30pm on Monday after eyewitness reports of a body floating in the surf zone offshore at Southbroom's Main Beach. 'A search by police divers for the missing Durban man, assisted by police K9 search and rescue, NSRI Shelly Beach and NSRI Port Edward was ongoing since Thursday last week,' it said. NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon said the Shelly Beach rescue craft Spirit of Dawn, accompanied by police divers, was launched. 'On arrival at the scene, the body of an adult man was located and recovered from the water by police divers and brought onboard the NSRI rescue craft,' he said. The body was taken into the care of forensic pathology and police, said Lambinon. 'The family of the 22-year-old man were attended to at the NSRI rescue base by police and forensics authorities. Formal identification of the man is being arranged with the family, in accordance with formal protocols. 'An inquest docket has been opened by police.'
IOL News
16-05-2025
- IOL News
Search for missing tidal pool maintenance man at Southbroom Main beach continues
Aerial view of people swimming in the water at a beach The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) says rip currents, can develop where there are breaking waves. Bigger waves tend to produce stronger currents. These currents are formed by water moving from the beach back out to sea. Image: NSRI The search continues for a 22-year-old tidal pool maintenance man who went missing while swimming at Southbroom Main beach on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast after he got swept out to sea by rip currents. National Sea Rescue Institute Station (NSRI) Port Edward station commander, John Nicholas, said it had been determined that the man was reportedly conducting maintenance at the tidal pool. He then decided to take a swim and got into difficulty when he got caught in rip currents. 'Despite the efforts of Good Samaritans who tried to save him… he was swept out to sea before disappearing under water,' he said. Detailing the events that unfolded, Nicholas said at 12.03pm on Thursday, 15 May, NSRI Port Edward and NSRI Shelly Beach were alerted by Wolf Security from the scene that there was a drowning in progress at Southbroom Main beach. 'A man was caught in rip currents while swimming at low tide, and he was being swept out to sea. There were efforts by bystanders who were trying to assist,' he said. NSRI Port Edward and Shelly Beach rescue swimmers, along with the NSRI rescue vehicle towing the Spirit of Surfski 7, responded to the incident. Additional responders included a Link Connect lifeguard supervisor, SA Police Services, Police Search and Rescue (WPDS), Police K9 Search and Rescue, Ray Nkonyeni Law Enforcement, Ray Nkonyeni Fire and Rescue Services, and Maser Security. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ According to Nicholas, it was reported that colleagues of the man, surfers, and bystanders were attempting to reach the man in the surf zone, but he had then disappeared under water. He said on arrival at the scene, a search commenced, with rescuers deployed at elevated positions, conducting shoreline search efforts, a sea search in the surf zone and beyond, using the NSRI rescue craft, and a Police Search and Rescue drone conducting an aerial search. 'Despite an extensive sea, air and shoreline search, there remain no signs of the missing man, and Police (WPDS and Police K9 Search and Rescue) are continuing ongoing search efforts. 'Thoughts, care, and compassion are with the family, friends, and colleagues of the missing man in this difficult time,' said Nicholas.
