Researchers confirmed the presence of 222 cow-calf pairs and 25 unaccompanied adults, during this year’s annual Southern Right Whale aerial survey.
The survey is part of the Mammal Research Institute (MRI) Whale Unit’s long-term monitoring programme, purposed to track whales along South Africa’s coastline for nearly six decades now.
Most cow-calf pairs were recorded at De Hoop, Struisbaai, and Walker Bay.
Researchers are from the University of Pretoria’s two departments-Mammal Research Institute Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences as well as the Faculty of Zoology and Entomology.
Researchers said the number of cow-calf pairs recorded each year can vary considerably, an indication that there might be a population decline or recovery.
Picture: Supplied