Beached humpback whale, South Africa

Friday 3 August 2012

SABC

Heavy machinery is being used to removed a humpback whale which was washed ashore in Mossel Bay. It is understood that the mammal died about three weeks ago.

The whale is said to weigh between 15 and 20 tons (REUTERS)

Rescue workers are expected to work overnight in retrieving the whale which might prove to be especially difficult. Conservationists estimate the humpback to be about three years old. It weighs between 15 and 20 tons for eight metre long.

“We cannot return the carcass back into the sea because it is going to cause a navigational hazard for small crafts and other vessels as this is a fishing region,” says Craig Viljoen of Incident Support Services.

He says that they will uplift the carcass and dismantle it on the site and then transport it to a qualified facility where it will be buried.

The main surfing beach has been closed and bathers have been warned of increased shark activity.

“There is a protocol that we need to adhere to in an incident where we deal with a whale and carcasses that have been washed up to sea,” says Viljoen.

The main surfing beach has been closed until further notice. Earlier, a fire engine tow truck was used to try and retrieve the decomposing carcass.

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