Cape of Good Hope SPCA:
Today was a very sad day for our Wildlife Team. We received reports of an injured whale at Hout Bay Harbour and our team headed to the area immediately to assess the situation. Our hearts just sank when we arrived because this Dwarf Sperm Whale was extensively injured, weak and was no doubt suffering immensely.
According to research, whales often beach themselves when they are too sick or injured to swim and the currents carry them ashore where they suffer a slow and agonizing death as their organs shut down one by one. We knew that returning this Whale to the ocean would not be successful and would only add to the stress, pain and exhaustion that this animal was already experiencing.
We had no choice but to do the right thing for this whale no matter how hard it was for us. The only way to humanely end this whale’s suffering was by humane euthanasia, and in collaboration with the relevant authorities, this was carried out efficiently under our supervision. The SPCA will not allow any animal to suffer even if this means that we have to make difficult decisions like this when there is no other hope!
“The whale was euthanased in accordance with the marine mammal protocol. The decision was made by the City of Cape Town in consultation with Department Environment Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF).”
Each pygmy sperm whale has a sac filled with dark liquid in its intestine. The whale can release more than 3 gallons of dark, reddish-brown liquid, or “ink,” from this sac. The liquid creates a dark cloud in the water to help protect the whales when they feel threatened or are trying to escape predators.
In the Southern Hemisphere, pygmy sperm whales live in the Tasman Sea and the waters around Chile, South Africa, and Uruguay. In the Northern Hemisphere, they live in the waters around the Netherlands, northwestern Europe, the Azores, Nova Scotia, and Japan. Their migration patterns are currently unknown.
Thank you team for doing such a kind humane thing… Very sad indeed. DeeDee
Thank u for taking this difficult decision and ending the pain and suffering in a humane manner.
Thank you to everybody at the SPCA for always taking the responsibility and carrying the heavy load for all of us. You are greatly appreciated.
Janice Barry
I don’t understand why the person is laughing.😡 It looks like something was chasing it before it hits the rocks.
Exactly the same thing I said the laugh made me angry aswel stupid ass….
I feel the same. who ever was laughing is a total idiot… honestly…
How can a person laugh at something like this. Its disgusting!!!!!!!
That mamel is the same like a child…it was injured..and need care..tat person that was laughing…one day he must hear that someone else is laughing at him..when he lays like that
I agree Mat that dick head probably doesn’t even care about the wildlife. Thank you you spca for making the correct but hard and sadful decision.
This was so so sad to watch on Face Book. The shit heads that were laughing thought it was funny. Had NO feelings what so ever.
Can’t watch. My cat was in agony other night and I swear if I could have euthanized it, I would have. Whale only doing what comes naturally, glad for it’s sake you lessened the suffering. I am sure it felt the love ✨♥️
Thank u all 4 identifying the mained whale and putting it out of its pain. THAT’S WHY I’M NOT LEAVING… HOUT BAY 🦋♥️ SHAZ
Lol