MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

Port Elizabeth Whale Rescue

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At 20h00 on Saturday 25 January, NSRI Port Elizabeth were informed by Bay World of two Pygmy killer whales beached at between Blue Water Bay and St Georges Strand .

Members of the public had reportedly assisted one whale back into the water and Bay World members transported one whale to a holding tank at Bay World and NSRI were requested to assist the next day, depending on the whales condition, to use sea rescue craft to release the whale at sea.

That whale was monitored through the night by Bay World staff, Marine Scientists and Veterinary Surgeons and appeared to be healthy.

On Sunday morning, 26th January, Bay World reported that what was believed to be the second whale had re-beached again (it cannot be confirmed if it was the same whale) and had also been transported to Bay World for evaluation.

At 09h00, Sunday, 26th January, NSRI sea rescue vehicle transported one whale, Bay World transported one whale, to the Port Elizabeth Sea Rescue base. Both whales were loaded onto the sea rescue craft SPIRIT OF TOFT and with a second sea rescue craft and Marine Scientist and a Veterinary Surgeon on SPIRIT OF TOFT, both whales were released 5 nautical miles off-shore of Cape Recife.

Red Tide had to be negotiated to find a clear area in the sea to release the whales.

One whale appeared to swim off confidently but one whale appeared to be less confident.

That whale was monitored for 45 minutes but worsening weather conditions forced the sea rescue craft to return to base.

Marine Scientists are confident that the one whale would survive and are cautiously optimistic regarding the second whale.

The shore line will be monitored to see if either whale re-beaches.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.