Another whale rescued off Cape coast

Cape Town – Following the rescue of a humpback whale caught in shark nets in KwaZulu-Natal, the South African Whale Disentanglement Network (SAWDN) rescued another humpback in the Western Cape on Wednesday.

Craig Lambinon spokesperson for SAWDN said the whale had entangled itself in rope and buoy about one nautical mile off-shore of Hangklip, False Bay, between Gordon’s Bay and Hermanus.

“The 8m humpback whale was found to be entangled in rope and floatation buoys, appearing at first to be three wraps of rope.”

Lambonin said the ropes were attached to rock lobster traps.

SAWDN volunteers managed to free the whale, during an hour-long operation, but cutting the ropes.

"The whale appeared healthy and strong throughout the operation which took an hour and the outcome is successful”, said Mike Meyer, head of SAWDN.

"Interestingly with this whale the right side of the tip of one fluke has clearly been bitten off by an Orca whale in another incident that must have happened some time ago as the wound has already healed,” he said.