On Monday, 9 October, the Marine Dynamics team received a call from Aaron Stemmetton. He was hiking Die Plaat just off De Kelders with a group of students who had come across what they believed was a Southern right whale calf and, hoping that it was still alive, tried pushing it back into the ocean.
Aaron called Marine Dynamics looking for assistance since the tide was coming in and he didn’t want to risk the students being in the water.
Also read: Southern right whale washed up on shore on Dwarskersbos beach
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The Marine Dynamics team immediately responded, armed with a net and buckets to keep the whale wet while trying to save it. They called one of the marine conservation partners, Dr Els Vermeulen from the UP Mammal Research Institute Whale Unit, who immediately left Hermanus.
After some serious 4x4ing on Die Plaat, the team realised that the only way to reach the whale was on foot and trekked in loose sand for 40 minutes before reaching the whale.
The team was surprised to find a Cuvier’s beaked whale, hardly ever seen in South African waters, stranded on the beach.
Unfortunately, upon arrival, it was confirmed that the Cuvier’s beaked whale was already dead.
Video: Cuvier whale beached at Gansbaai
‘You could tell from the gull bite marks on the whale’s face area, that he was already dead for a while and the birds started eating at the skin’ confirmed CEO of Marine Dynamics and founder of the Dyer Island Conservation Trust, Wilfred Chivell.
For Chivell, who has been around the globe to watch whales and who has in-depth knowledge about these mammals, their behaviour and migrating patterns, it was a very sad day.
There are about 90 species of whales, scientifically known as cetaceans, in our oceans, and Chivell has seen, dived with, and photographed many of them except for the Cuvier’s beaked whale.
‘To see this mysterious almost dolphin-like creature for the first time in such a way is not what I had hoped for our first meeting.’
Wilfred’s son, skipper, and marine conservationist, Dickie Chivell, said that he once had the amazing chance to see these majestic creatures in Guadeloupe while filming a shark documentary.
Ralph Watson, lead scientist at Marine Dynamics Dyer Island Conservation Trust, immediately got to work to take measurements and collect samples for further research about these majestic creatures of the deep blue.
Dr Vermeulen and her team from the Whale Unit at the UP Mammal Research Institute conducted additional research by collecting samples.
Their investigation identified the specimen as an adult female measuring approximately 5.5 metres in length. They gathered samples of the skin, blubber and muscle to enhance their understanding of this particular species.
Cuvier’s beaked whales are recognised as one of the most widely dispersed beaked whale species, primarily inhabiting deep waters in the open ocean, typically exceeding depths of 300 metres.
Because of their offshore habitat, marine biologists have limited knowledge of these creatures, making samples from strandings like this one exceptionally valuable.
While returning to their 4×4 vehicle, the Marine Dynamics team encountered a young and undernourished cormorant. They quickly transported the bird to the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary (APSS) for treatment.
Veterinarian Dr Liezl Pretorius confirmed that the cormorant’s weakness was due to a lack of food. It will remain at the APSS until it regains sufficient weight and strength to return to Die Plaat.
Visit the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary to help support the team in looking after the endangered African Penguins and all other seabirds.
To report entangled, sick, injured or stranded marine life in Gansbaai and surrounds, please contact the Marine Dynamics team at 072 598 7117.
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