WATCH: Whale removed from uMhlanga beach
The beach is still closed and swimming is banned.
THE massive humpback whale carcass that washed up on the shore near the uMhlanga Lighthouse early on Sunday morning was removed in record time on Monday, 14 October.
Ezemvelo marine ecologist Jennifer Olbers said the eThekwini Municipality worked through the night to remove the carcass which was cut up and loaded on to trucks to be sent to a landfill.
“We took samples before the whale was removed. It was quite decomposed already so any further research wouldn’t have been viable. It wasn’t a particularly healthy animal. It was a bit thin and covered with whale lice. The whale probably died a few days before the carcass washed ashore,” said Olbers.
As the decaying body attracts sharks, the beach is still closed to the public and swimming is banned, said spokesperson for the Metro Police, Parboo Sewpersad.
“The scene of the beached whale is almost cleared,” he said.
He added that all authorities were on scene on Sunday, including Metro Police Search and Rescue.
Also read: Whale carcass washes up on uMhlanga Beach
https://www.facebook.com/uMhlangaUIP/videos/1312737135561547/
Dewet Geldenhuys of the uMhlanga Urban Improvement Precinct (UIP) had predicted that it would take days for the carcass to be removed.
“Last time a whale washed up, it took four days to remove. It is huge and weighs tons, so they can’t hoist or lift the whale up,” he said.
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The carcass drew a large crowd of onlookers to the sea side.
“It’s an unusual sight. This is the first time I’m seeing something like this. It’s very sad. I think it was dead long before it got to shore, because there was a stench in the air when we arrived,” said Vinod Mohanlal who was among those mesmerised by the sight.
In October last year another humpback whale washed up near The Oyster Box.
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