Whale Shark dies: Kommetjie NSRI helps with carcass

SCARBOROUGH Sunday 18th March 2012. At 12h30 on Sunday 18th March NSRI Kommetjie were called out to assist from KEAG (The Kommetjie Environmental Action Group) and the Department of Environment – Oceans and Coasts reporting to be attempting to rescue a 2.5 meter female Whale Shark at Scarborough near the picnic site.Our volunteers launched SPIRIT OF THE WINELANDS and our DISCOVERY quad bike and our sea rescue vehicle responded to the scene.Prior to arriving on-scene we were informed that the whale shark had died but we were requested to continue and to assist in getting the carcass ashore.On arrival we used our hydraulic winch and ropes to pull the Whale Shark carcass to above the high water mark onto rocks and the City of Cape Town solid waste department has been called to begin the task of removing the carcass. Marine Scientists will later draw samples of the carcass for further study.