A juvenile Pygmy Sperm whale was euthanised in Melkbosstrand last week after washing up ashore at Slabber se Klippe.
This despite extensive efforts put in place to return the whale to sea, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) says.
Two washed up Pygmy Sperm whales, a juvenile and an adult, beached in shallow waters on the beach, however the NSRI managed to safely return the adult whale, appearing to be healthy, to sea.
The City of Cape Town’s Marine Animal Stranding Network were alerted to reports of the Pygmy Sperm whales beached at Melkbosstrand.
The Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF), NSRI Melkbosstrand rescue swimmers, SPCA Wildlife Inspectorate, and City authorities responded.
Public members assisted on the scene. However the incident was also met with mixed feelings with some beachgoers saying the euthanasia method was “barbaric”.
“The whale was not really big and it could’ve easily been returned to the water,” a Facebook post reads.
NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon says extensive efforts to return the whales to sea appears to have resulted in the adult returning to sea and authorities are cautiously optimistic that the adult whale, appearing to be healthy, will survive.
“The juvenile whale beached again in the vicinity of the NSRI Melkbosstrand slipway,” says Lambinon.
NSRI rescue swimmers, assisted by public volunteers, tried extensively to return the whale to sea.
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 the whale enduring suffering.
To ensure a humane outcome, marine mammals are generally given a sedative to reduce pain and stress that often results in the animal becoming unconscious. Approved euthanasia methods are commonly classified into two main categories: chemical methods and physical methods.
Gregg Oelofse of the City’s Marine Animal Stranding Network says 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,” Lambinon says.
