Local newsNews

Keep cool and calm at a marine stranding

Experts presented the do's and don'ts of dealing with a stranded marine animal

March 25, 2018
Tamlyn Jolly 1 minute read
The seal that was stranded on Richards Bay's Palm Beach in September, in the crate and ready to go to Sea World in Durban, thanks to the dedicated Sea World team which included Poulus Siyesu, Bilal Limbada and Halalisani Zikhali PHOTO: Tamlyn Jolly

OWING to numerous recent marine strandings on Richards Bay’s beaches, a Marine Animal Stranding Workshop was last weekend held at the NSRI base in Meerensee.

Jennifer Olbers, Marine Biologist with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife was one of the presenters at the Marine Animal Stranding Workshop
PHOTO: Shanan Atkins

ALSO READ: Documenting seismic surveys’ effect on marine life

The workshop was organised by the KZN Marine Stranding Network, and presented by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife marine biologists and uShaka Marine World staff.

Illustrating how to cover a stranded marine animal with wet towels
PHOTO: Brynn Gericke

Attendees were educated on the do’s and don’ts when it comes to dealing with a stranded marine animal, which included how to keep it cool.

BayB, the elephant seal that washed up in Richards Bay in September and was rehabilitated in Durban and later released off the coast of Port Elizabeth
PHOTO: Tamlyn Jolly

‘Give it some shade, place wet towels over it but never cover the eyes or blowhole, and never pour water into a dolphin or whale’s blowhole,’ said Shanan Atkins, Marine Biologist at the School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Science, University of the Witswatersrand.

Read the full story by subscribing to the ZO online!

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.

For news straight to your phone invite us:

WhatsApp – 072 069 4169

Instagram – zululand_observer

March 25, 2018
Tamlyn Jolly 1 minute read
Back to top button