Whale beached at Great Brak

Image suppliedAt around 11a.m. on Monday, 01st June, NSRI Mossel Bay were requested by the Department of Environmental Affairs - Oceans and Coasts to investigate reports of a beached whale at Great Brak near Mossel Bay.On arrival on the scene NSRI Mossel Bay found a juvenile Humpback Whale on the beach. The whale was hard aground in shallow surf and appeared to be weak and in poor health. Members of the public and Pinnacle Conservation were attempting to assist the whale back into the water.Sadly, despite all efforts, the whale could not be successfully refloated.The Department of Environmental Affairs - Oceans and Coasts had dispatched two veterinary surgeons to assess the health of the animal and it was deemed by these vets that the animal was in poor health and NSRI Mossel Bay were released from the scene.The vets and the Department of Environmental Affairs - Oceans and Coasts, in consultation with wildlife veterinary surgeons, then made arrangements for the whale to be euthanized.Mike Meyer, Department of Environmental Affairs - Oceans and Coasts, emphasised that attempting to rescue a whale of that size in heavy sea conditions puts the rescuers at incredible risk of injury. The team that was sent to euthanise the whale were presented with difficult circumstances in adverse sea conditions and later humanely euthanised the whale after dark. Image supplied