QUESTIONS - MASS SHOOTING OF BEACHED WHALES IN KOMMETJIE, CAPE TOWN -

[Liesel James]

Doyou have any questions regarding the mass shooting of beached whales in Kommetjie and Noordhoek on the 30th of May 2009?

1."Mass euthanasie of whales is a RARE occurrence" and is only used as a last resort when whales strand themselves on relatively remote beaches. IWC58: Welfare on whale killing methods and associated welfare issues;euthanasia of stranded ceteceans in New Zealand.

2. Does South Africa have an operations procedure for a mass beaching of whales, and if so, how far is it in line with the rest of the world? Why did they not follow it?

3. There is well coordinated well informed rescue of stranded cetaceans in the UK which is dependent on well equipped and well trained volunteers. Brent Vincent; Dept of Environmental and Heritage; Cairns

4. Was the decision to shoot the whales premature?

5. Animals are not euthanized unless they have been beached for more than one tide cycle,IWC58 - M.F.Donaghue

6 Where the whales properly assessed?

7. Some criteria under which whales in New Zealand might be assessed as stressed and therefore euthanized:

8. Non of the whales on the beach exhibeted any of these signs:

- dependent calf without mother
- animal is obviously thin and emaciated
- animal exhibits deep penetrating injuries to muscle area.
- protracted rapid breathing - more than 8 - 18 breaths/5 minutes
- absence of reflex from anus, genital opening, blowhole or tongue
- sustained muscle tremors
- significant mucus discharge from blowhole.
- blood not related to superficial injuries from blowhole/mouth/anus

Please email [e-mail] if you too have any of these questions. We would like to get the public's opinion. We would like an independent investigation into this matter.

LGF Note: Please email liesel at [e-mail] for any contribution relating the whales