Scientist had no other choice but to euthanise whales

By Yamkela Xhaso
31 May

Scientists and Cape Town officials had to make the difficult decision to put down 52 of the 55 whales that stranded themselves at Kommetjie on the southern Cape Peninsula coast yesterday.

Nearly a thousand volunteers flocked to the beach and at times the situation became hectic.

At least one woman was injured when she was pinned between a whale and the rocks.

Everything possible was done to save the animals but eventually the decision had to be taken to put them down.

There were several young whales among the group.

The animals would turn back to the shore as fast as they were returned to the water.

Some of them died in the process and the rest became so exhausted they could not swim. Scientists will study the carcasses to try and find out the cause of the disaster.