NSRI confirms Pygmy Sperm whale euthanised on Cape Town beach

On Wednesday afternoon, the City of Cape Town’s (CoCT) Marine Animal Stranding Network were alerted to reports of Pygmy Sperm whales beached at Melkbosstrand.

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The Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF), NSRI Melkbosstrand rescue swimmers, SPCA Wildlife Inspectorate, and CoCT authorities responded.
 
Members of the public also assisted on the scene.
 
Two Pygmy Sperm whales, a juvenile and an adult, had beached in shallow waters on the beach at Slabber se Klippe, Melkbosstrand.

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Extensive efforts to return the whales to sea resulted in the adult returning to sea and authorities are cautiously optimistic that this whale, appearing to be healthy, will survive.

Pygmy Sperm whale beached again

However, the juvenile whale beached again in the vicinity of the NSRI Melkbosstrand slipway.

NSRI rescue swimmers, assisted by public volunteers, tried extensively to return this whale to sea.

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After all efforts were exhausted the decision was made, by DEFF, in cooperation with the SPCA and City officials, to euthanise the whale humanely to prevent it enduring suffering.
 
Gregg Oelofse, of the CoCT Marine Animal Stranding Network, said, the decision to humanely euthanise the animal is made in accordance with the 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 the extensive efforts, that are commended, by NSRI and by public volunteers, to return the animal to sea, the decision made to prevent the animal from enduring any further suffering is humane.”

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