Whales Beached on Kommetjie

Posted Sat, 30 May 2009 (3 years ago)

The sight of around 55 Pilot whales beached along Kommetjie beach this morning was unbelievably sad to witness.

The relatively small black mammals were discovered shortly after first light and by the time I got down to the beach at around 11h30 there were hundreds of people - rescue and disaster management vehicles, police, fire engine, spectators, the NSRI and a whole lot of local heroes in wetsuits helping the whales back out to beyond the breakers.

But in most cases, tragically, it seemed like the whales continued to beach themselves over and over again and soon the authorities were driving along the beach with loud hailers trying to clear the beach so they could close it.

It seems that euthanasia ** was going the be the only option before much longer.

Why do whales beach themselves? Singly it is often thought they do so when ill or old, in order to die. But in large groups like this it seems inexplicable.

Some of the theories include the following:

the whales may simply be following a confused or sick leader
they may be swimming to the aid of an already stranded whale that is sending off a distress call
whales have a bio-magnetic sense, which allows them to sense magnetic fields in the earth's crust. Whales following magnetic field lines could beach themselves in areas where the field lines intersect with the coast. "One study in the UK found a correlation between local magnetic field lines and sites where whales are stranded alive
pods may venture too close to the beach when hunting and become trapped by low tides
socially the live whales may not wish to leave a fellow pod member who has beached and died

The bottom line seems to be that the cause of mass strandings of whales remains a mystery.

** In a sad footnote, we have just heard (on Saturday evening) that many of the whales (around 30) were put down when heroic attempts to rescue them were unsuccessful, Some 20 were assisted out to deeper waters and it is hoped they will live to swim another day. The euthanasia was done by gunshot to the head of each stranded whale.

For a gallery of stunning images capturing the spirit of the day go here.

13 Responses to Whales Beached on Kommetjie

Hi i arrived at Kommetjie beach at 10am and at 1pm when i left after watching how it was going to be for the whales, the helpers and the people watching. why did the Navy which is 2 mins away come and help with tugsm divers and support to help the helpers already there. it does not makes sense for the whales to not get the helped that we could of given them, 2009 this is not 1909, if it were people to be helped there would be many heli and boats. come of people. and the amount of people that were just watching and getting in the way, why didnt you get you feet wet????

By karen (3 years ago)

It truly was the saddest day i have ever experienced. But nothing will take away that feeling of holding a whale, feeling its heart beat, and try with all your might to save it. People banded together with ease, which was amazing and inspiring. A few were saved but sadly after many hours of trying, we watched as each was brought to its end with a horrid popping sound that still reverberates in my ears. Walking the length of a beach lined with dead whales as the setting sun bursts through the clouds is a moment that will sit me with forever.

By Charisse (3 years ago)

If only we knew the real causes of such a sad occurance then at least if we couldnt stop it we would at least understand why they would do such a thing. There are humans that see the beauty and intelligence in such creatures and help in ways they can from helping stranded whales in Kommetjie to following whaling ships in the Antarctic. They are all heroes in their way.
Oh and I hope Mike kept his six year old off the beach this time.

By Graeme (3 years ago)

It is so sad to see the plight of these whales.Maybe its nature or Gods way of bringing back compassion into our sick society, for these magnificent creatures......who are being slauhtered by the japanese and Chinese for financial gain.The world has to put a stop to the hunting of whales.And a special thanks to all the rescuers and volunteers who did their utmost best to save the whales.The beaching is a very sad and unexplained phenomena....but the world must sit up and take notice of the plight of our whales.What gives human nature the authority to hunt, murder and slaughter whales at their peril?Sometimes it takes a tragedy like this to bring about changes to this sick society we live in.God bless all the animals of the earth.

By sid (3 years ago)

Is it possible they are telling us that the toxin levels in the water are too high?

By diane (3 years ago)

It is truly a very sad time for all and I start crying everytime I think about it. Whatever the reason for the mass stranding, I truly hope and pray that this will not happen again. Hopefully we'll be able to understand the reason for this and prevent this from happining again soon. Thank you to all the volunteers who assisted.

By Liezl (3 years ago)

"WHALES ARE ACOUSTIC OCEANIC MAMMALS
Their primary means of communicating, navigating, locating food, and remaining healthy is through the use of sounds. Their sound frequencies are as necessary to them as breathing is to us. It is their lifeline...

As the oceans become busier with human machinery, the sounds are heard by the whales and are taken into account as they send their own tones into the ocean to contact their family members. Low flying planes, giant ships and underwater drilling are some of the signs of progress that contribute to noise in the ocean. The whales have been able to survive and increase in numbers as the ocean becomes more populated.
However, now they are faced with a technology that cannot be assimilated by them. It is deadly, causing a break down of communication, inability to find their migrational routes and their food sources. It is a sound frequency that makes them deaf and ultimately dead (if not immediately dead, depending on the proximity of the military sonar being directed at them.) When most whales die they sink to the ocean floor and no one knows the difference. Some whales to escape these painful and lethal sounds will swim to land in an attempt to get out of the water. This is called beaching. There they die as well."

So if you want to know what is causing the whales to beach themselves you need to look at who has been making a noise in the ocean lately ...

By Harrold (3 years ago)

Harrold > Are you refering to the Navy test firing in Simonstown last week?
If so, it's the wrong side of the Peninsular and it was last week. Even the experts aren't blaming that. In addition, the navy have already stated that they had no vessels on the Atlantic seaboard in the lead up to this event (although they shouldn't have to point that out).

These events are "sad", sure. But there's every chance that they are also completely natural as well. To blame "man" just because it's cool to blame "man" achieves nothing.

By 6000 (3 years ago)

I must agree, its amazing how many people blame just because we HAVE to blame someone. people need to accept that although it is very very sad, its nature. everyone seems to be experts in times like these. leave the judgement to the experts, thats what they are there for and have studies for many years to do what they do.

By Tom (3 years ago)

It's really sad that 44 of these beautiful creatures had to be shot - I wonder this morning if this is what Mr Zuma meant when he said he's going to be tough on all kinds of killers.

By Wonkie CartOOns (3 years ago)

Wow I witnessed this event for myself. Really tragic about what happened

By Whale Information (3 years ago)

I heard about it and felt sorry for these whales.We have to be more responsible towards animal rights.

By Clay Shooting (11 months ago)

The beached whale is a source of fascination and concern. Much is unknown to why these beautiful creatures take, or attempt to take, their own lives by beaching themselves.

By Barcelona Apartment (6 months ago)