ENTANGLED SOUTHERN RIGHT WHALE SAVED

16/09/2005 -The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism's scientists and divers, together with officials from the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) and SA Police Services divers, have saved an entangled Southern Right whale late yesterday, Thursday 15 September 2004. The 8 metre whale was spotted at Rocky Bank in False Bay in the morning, entangled with 7 large rock lobster buoys and ropes.
The buoys and ropes were removed by cutting the ropes with knives that were specifically designed and produced by the Department for such purposes. Due to the large number of ropes which were solidly entwined around the tailstock and flukes of the whale, several cutting sessions were carried out. The first session continued for 2 hours before one of the knives disintegrated when it caught several lines. The second cutting session continued for a further hour after which the whale was finally released yesterday afternoon.


The whale appeared to be disorientated initially, but slowly realized it was free and moved away at a faster pace towards Buffels Bay.

Damage to the tailstock appeared to be minimal but several indentations on the tailstock by the chaffing rope were visible.

This incident followed just one day after a beached Southern Right whale at Mnandi beach along False Bay had to be put down.

The southern right whale is a whale commonly seen along the south coast of South Africa between June and November, leaving the Antarctic in April before entering our coastal waters, where conditions are most suitable for newborn calves.