A whale carcass was found stranded 2 nautical miles South of the New Harbour in Hermanus.
The cause of death could not be determined from initial visual inspection, as there were no signs of entanglement or ship strike that could have led to its death, Dean O’Neill, Municipal Manager of the Overstrand Municipality, said in a statement this morning.
“Many thanks to NSRI Station 17 for their hard work today in helping to tow the carcass of a dead whale from a position 2nm south of the New Harbour, Hermanus, to a point close inshore along Die Plaat.”
From this location, we are hopeful that the carcass will strand along the deserted section of beach, away from the built-up area.”
Should the carcass strand, and be accessible, scientists from the Overberg Stranding Network will be able to collect samples and take measurements.
Photo credit: Ash Appelby, Southern Right Charters