City officials were called into action following reports of pygmy sperm whales that were beached at Melkbosstrand earlier this week.
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The Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF), NSRI Melkbosstrand rescue swimmers, the SPCA Wildlife Inspectorate, and the CoCT authorities all responded.
Members of the public assisted at the scene.
Two pygmy sperm whales, one juvenile and one adult, were found beached in shallow waters at Slabber se Klippe in Melkbosstrand.
Extensive efforts to return the whales to sea appear to have resulted in the adult returning, and authorities are cautiously optimistic that the adult whale, which appears to be in good health, will survive.
The juvenile whale beached again near the NSRI Melkbosstrand slipway.
NSRI rescue swimmers, assisted by public volunteers, made numerous attempts to return the whale to sea.
After all efforts had been exhausted, DEFF, in collaboration with the SPCA and City officials, decided to euthanize the whale humanely in order to prevent it from suffering.
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According to Gregg Oelofse of the CoCT Marine Animal Stranding Network, the decision to humanely euthanize the animal was made in accordance with approved marine animal stranding protocols, in a coordinated decision made by DEFF marine scientists in cooperation with the SPCA and City of Cape Town authorities.
After extensive efforts, commended by NSRI and public volunteers, to return the animal to sea, the decision to save the animal from further suffering is humane.
Pygmy sperm whales are toothed whales named after the waxy substance called spermaceti that is found in their heads. The spermaceti is an oil sac that helps whales focus their sounds. Pygmy sperm whales, like squid, can produce a dark, ink-like liquid that allows them to escape predators.
The Marine Mammal Protection Act protects them, along with all other marine mammals. NOAA Fisheries and its partners are conducting research and conservation activities to help save pygmy sperm whales and gain a better understanding of the species.
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Picture: NSRI