The City’s disaster response teams successfully recovered the 30 metre Southern Right Whale carcass from the False Bay coastline after midday today [Monday, 08 October 2012].
At this stage it is unclear whether the whale was alive when the great white sharks attacked it or whether it died as a result of illness.
Under normal circumstances predators, like sharks, often sneak up on their prey, from behind or underneath.
Predators don't usually "face-off" as in a fight. A predator goes in quickly and quietly attacks the prey.
Also, predators choose the ill, injured, young or old animals to hunt as they are easier to catch.
The beaches between Muizenberg and Monwabisi will remain closed until the area has been cleared and declared safe.
The operation nearly took eighteen (18) hours and the disaster response teams had to await for the tides to recede to successfully recover the carcass.
The scientists from the Department of Environmental Affairs [Oceans & Coasts Branch] have taken samples off the carcass to perform a necropsy to be analysed in order to establish the cause of death.
The carcass will be transported to Vissershok Landfill Site for disposal.
End
Issued by: Disaster Risk Management Centre, City of Cape Town
Source: Wilfred Solomons-Johannes, Head: Systems Integration, Special Projects and Disaster Operations, Disaster Risk Management Centre, City of Cape Town
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