Not a new whale
The whale carcass currently seen between Mile 4 and Mile 8 is not a new stranding but an earlier one and the animal has been pushed up by the tide.
The Humpback whale which previously washed up near Paaltjies was moved by the large winter swell to the vicinity of Swakopmund between Mile 4 and Mile 8.
This was confirmed by the Namibian Dolphin Project (NDP) who said Annalie van Greunen reported the new location of the decomposing whale and also provided photos. The beached animal was first sighted and reported by local Walvis Bay tour guides operating in the Paaltjies area.
“After a short period of high stranding rates of Humpback whales along the Namibian coastline (five in total), a lot of questions still need to be answered. We commend members of the public, tourism operators, different branches of the Namibian government, and researchers pulling together to make a difference and help us understand this situation. Please do not hesitate to contact the NDP with any sighting of whales and dolphins,” said Dr Simon Elwen, NDP director.
People who come across a live stranded whale or dolphin are advised not to touch them but cover the animal's body with a towel or blanket to prevent sunburn and keep the blowhole (1 or 2 holes on the top of the head and the animal's 'nostrils') uncovered.
Fresh or saltwater can be used to keep the animal moist. Noise should be kept to a minimum and crowds must be kept away from the animal.
Anyone who comes across dead stranded whales, dolphins and turtles should contact the Strandings Network and they should take note the location of the carcass, the length and in what condition it is in (fresh, slightly decomposed, very decomposed or skeleton only). Pictures from several angles and close-ups of the head, fins and tail can be taken and emailed to the NDP at [email protected] or submitted via Facebook.
Otis Finck
This was confirmed by the Namibian Dolphin Project (NDP) who said Annalie van Greunen reported the new location of the decomposing whale and also provided photos. The beached animal was first sighted and reported by local Walvis Bay tour guides operating in the Paaltjies area.
“After a short period of high stranding rates of Humpback whales along the Namibian coastline (five in total), a lot of questions still need to be answered. We commend members of the public, tourism operators, different branches of the Namibian government, and researchers pulling together to make a difference and help us understand this situation. Please do not hesitate to contact the NDP with any sighting of whales and dolphins,” said Dr Simon Elwen, NDP director.
People who come across a live stranded whale or dolphin are advised not to touch them but cover the animal's body with a towel or blanket to prevent sunburn and keep the blowhole (1 or 2 holes on the top of the head and the animal's 'nostrils') uncovered.
Fresh or saltwater can be used to keep the animal moist. Noise should be kept to a minimum and crowds must be kept away from the animal.
Anyone who comes across dead stranded whales, dolphins and turtles should contact the Strandings Network and they should take note the location of the carcass, the length and in what condition it is in (fresh, slightly decomposed, very decomposed or skeleton only). Pictures from several angles and close-ups of the head, fins and tail can be taken and emailed to the NDP at [email protected] or submitted via Facebook.
Otis Finck
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