Kommetjie whale saga has come to an end

By Yamkela Xhaso
01 June 2009


Rescue efforts to save approximately 55 beached false killer whales in extremely rough weather conditions ended late Saturday night in Kommetjie.

Officials and volunteers attempted to return the whales to the ocean from first light yesterday.

Carol Moses from the Department of Environmental affairs and Tourism said about thirteen whales were able to be returned successfully to the sea.

“We looked at the conditions of and it became clear that many of the whales died as a result and it became clear that the best option at the time will be to euthanise the whales”

Carcasses of the whales will be moved to Vissershoek Waste Disposal site where scientists will further analysis to obtain as much information as possible on the memos.