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"title": "In pictures – Young humpback whale washes ashore on Long Beach, Simon’s Town",
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"contents": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It's whale season in South Africa, a time when locals and tourists usually marvel at seeing these fascinating creatures breaching gleefully in our bays or floating calmly beneath the surface of the ocean. However, Tuesday morning brought a heartbreaking scene – the sight of a dead <a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-04-11-sex-birth-and-whalesong-life-on-the-humpback-highway/\">humpback</a> whale beached along Long Beach in Simon’s Town. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The City of Cape Town’s Coastal Management, SANParks and Shark Spotters were on the scene and the whale has now been removed from the beach. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This comes after two Pygmy Sperm whales beached at Melkbosstrand in January 2024, when the City previously told Daily Maverick that Cape Town has a high abundance and diversity of marine mammals along its coastline and as a result, these beachings are expected. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The causes could be boat strikes (i.e. hit by large or small vessels), illness, old age and unknown causes as part of natural mortality. The City keeps a record of all strandings (dead or alive), and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment then conducts a necropsy on most of them. - <b>Kristin Engel</b></span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2410729\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/012024-Whales-1.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" /> <em>Humpbacks travel vast distances, migrating from Antarctic feeding grounds to the warmer breeding waters off Mozambique, Madagascar and Tanzania. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2410730\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/905A0439-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" /> <em>Recent weeks have brought a surge in whale activity along the False Bay coastline, with humpbacks frequently breaching and lunge feeding as part of their annual migration. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2410731\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/905A1061-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" /> <em>Recent weeks have brought a surge in whale activity along the False Bay coastline, with humpbacks frequently breaching and lunge feeding as part of their annual migration. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2410727\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DCS01701-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1350\" /> <em>A young female humpback whale, washed up on Long Beach, Simon’s Town, this morning. City and police officials swiftly cordoning off the area to ensure safety and expedite removal on 15 October 2024. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2410726\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DCS01718-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1498\" /> <em>A young female humpback whale, washed up on Long Beach, Simon’s Town, this morning. City and police officials swiftly cordoning off the area to ensure safety and expedite removal on 15 October 2024. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2410720\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DCS01766-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1449\" /> <em>A young female humpback whale, washed up on Long Beach, Simon’s Town, this morning. City and police officials swiftly cordoning off the area to ensure safety and expedite removal on 15 October 2024. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2410717\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DCS01751-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1336\" /> <em>The City of Cape Town quickly deployed heavy machinery to move the whale from the beach. Given the whale’s size, it posed a potential hazard to the many dog walkers and swimmers who frequent Long Beach on 15 October 2024. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2410725\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DCS01902-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" /> <em>The whale, easily identified as a humpback by its distinctive hump and long pectoral fins, was measured at 8 meters, confirming it as a subadult, likely just over a year old on 15 October 2024. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2410724\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DCS01901-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" /> <em>The whale, easily identified as a humpback by its distinctive hump and long pectoral fins, was measured at 8 meters, confirming it as a subadult, likely just over a year old on 15 October 2024. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2410723\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DCS01825-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1579\" /> <em>A young female humpback whale, washed up on Long Beach, Simon’s Town, this morning. City and police officials swiftly cordoning off the area to ensure safety and expedite removal on 15 October 2024. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2410722\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DCS01821-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1482\" /> <em>A young female humpback whale, washed up on Long Beach, Simon’s Town, this morning. City and police officials swiftly cordoning off the area to ensure safety and expedite removal on 15 October 2024. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2410721\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DCS01730-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1517\" /> <em>(Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2410719\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DCS01954-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" /> <em>The City of Cape Town quickly deployed heavy machinery to move the whale from the beach. Given the whale’s size, it posed a potential hazard to the many dog walkers and swimmers who frequent Long Beach on 15 October 2024. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2410718\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DCS01933-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" /> <em>The City of Cape Town quickly deployed heavy machinery to move the whale from the beach. Given the whale’s size, it posed a potential hazard to the many dog walkers and swimmers who frequent Long Beach on 15 October 2024. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2410715\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DCS01950-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" /> <em>City and police officials acted rapidly, cordoning off the whale to ensure public safety. Their swift action allowed for a controlled removal operation, minimizing disruption to beachgoers on 15 October 2024. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2410716\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DCS01955-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1542\" /> <em>City and police officials acted rapidly, cordoning off the whale to ensure public safety. Their swift action allowed for a controlled removal operation, minimizing disruption to beach-goers on 15 October 2024. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2410714\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DCS01940-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1706\" /> <em>After samples were taken, the whale was transported by heavy machinery to a landfill, likely Coastal Park, where it will be disposed of, bringing the incident to a close. on 15 October 2024. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)</em></p>",
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"name": "After samples were taken, the whale was transported by heavy machinery to a landfill, likely Coastal Park, where it will be disposed of, bringing the incident to a close. on 15 October 2024. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)",
"description": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It's whale season in South Africa, a time when locals and tourists usually marvel at seeing these fascinating creatures breaching gleefully in our bays or floating calmly beneath the surface of the ocean. However, Tuesday morning brought a heartbreaking scene – the sight of a dead <a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-04-11-sex-birth-and-whalesong-life-on-the-humpback-highway/\">humpback</a> whale beached along Long Beach in Simon’s Town. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The City of Cape Town’s Coastal Management, SANParks and Shark Spotters were on the scene and the whale has now been removed from the beach. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This comes after two Pygmy Sperm whales beached at Melkbosstrand in January 2024, when the City previously told Daily Maverick that Cape Town has a high abundance and diversity of marine mammals along its coastline and as a result, these beachings are expected. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The causes could be boat strikes (i.e. hit by large or small vessels), illness, old age and unknown causes as part of natural mortality. The City keeps a record of all strandings (dead or alive), and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment then conducts a necropsy on most of them. - <b>Kristin Engel</b></span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2410729\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1920\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2410729\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/012024-Whales-1.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" /> <em>Humpbacks travel vast distances, migrating from Antarctic feeding grounds to the warmer breeding waters off Mozambique, Madagascar and Tanzania. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2410730\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2560\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2410730\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/905A0439-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" /> <em>Recent weeks have brought a surge in whale activity along the False Bay coastline, with humpbacks frequently breaching and lunge feeding as part of their annual migration. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2410731\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2560\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2410731\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/905A1061-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" /> <em>Recent weeks have brought a surge in whale activity along the False Bay coastline, with humpbacks frequently breaching and lunge feeding as part of their annual migration. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2410727\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2560\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2410727\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DCS01701-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1350\" /> <em>A young female humpback whale, washed up on Long Beach, Simon’s Town, this morning. City and police officials swiftly cordoning off the area to ensure safety and expedite removal on 15 October 2024. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2410726\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2560\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2410726\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DCS01718-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1498\" /> <em>A young female humpback whale, washed up on Long Beach, Simon’s Town, this morning. City and police officials swiftly cordoning off the area to ensure safety and expedite removal on 15 October 2024. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2410720\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2560\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2410720\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DCS01766-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1449\" /> <em>A young female humpback whale, washed up on Long Beach, Simon’s Town, this morning. City and police officials swiftly cordoning off the area to ensure safety and expedite removal on 15 October 2024. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2410717\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2560\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2410717\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DCS01751-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1336\" /> <em>The City of Cape Town quickly deployed heavy machinery to move the whale from the beach. Given the whale’s size, it posed a potential hazard to the many dog walkers and swimmers who frequent Long Beach on 15 October 2024. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2410725\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2560\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2410725\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DCS01902-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" /> <em>The whale, easily identified as a humpback by its distinctive hump and long pectoral fins, was measured at 8 meters, confirming it as a subadult, likely just over a year old on 15 October 2024. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2410724\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2560\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2410724\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DCS01901-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" /> <em>The whale, easily identified as a humpback by its distinctive hump and long pectoral fins, was measured at 8 meters, confirming it as a subadult, likely just over a year old on 15 October 2024. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2410723\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2560\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2410723\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DCS01825-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1579\" /> <em>A young female humpback whale, washed up on Long Beach, Simon’s Town, this morning. City and police officials swiftly cordoning off the area to ensure safety and expedite removal on 15 October 2024. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2410722\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2560\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2410722\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DCS01821-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1482\" /> <em>A young female humpback whale, washed up on Long Beach, Simon’s Town, this morning. City and police officials swiftly cordoning off the area to ensure safety and expedite removal on 15 October 2024. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2410721\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2560\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2410721\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DCS01730-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1517\" /> <em>(Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2410719\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2560\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2410719\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DCS01954-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" /> <em>The City of Cape Town quickly deployed heavy machinery to move the whale from the beach. Given the whale’s size, it posed a potential hazard to the many dog walkers and swimmers who frequent Long Beach on 15 October 2024. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2410718\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2560\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2410718\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DCS01933-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" /> <em>The City of Cape Town quickly deployed heavy machinery to move the whale from the beach. Given the whale’s size, it posed a potential hazard to the many dog walkers and swimmers who frequent Long Beach on 15 October 2024. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2410715\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2560\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2410715\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DCS01950-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" /> <em>City and police officials acted rapidly, cordoning off the whale to ensure public safety. Their swift action allowed for a controlled removal operation, minimizing disruption to beachgoers on 15 October 2024. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2410716\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2560\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2410716\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DCS01955-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1542\" /> <em>City and police officials acted rapidly, cordoning off the whale to ensure public safety. Their swift action allowed for a controlled removal operation, minimizing disruption to beach-goers on 15 October 2024. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2410714\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2560\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2410714\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DCS01940-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1706\" /> <em>After samples were taken, the whale was transported by heavy machinery to a landfill, likely Coastal Park, where it will be disposed of, bringing the incident to a close. on 15 October 2024. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)</em>[/caption]",
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"summary": "A young female humpback whale was discovered washed up on Long Beach, Simon’s Town, early this morning. City and police officials quickly secured the area to ensure public safety and organise the removal process. The incident, which occurred on 15 October 2024, has drawn attention from local residents and conservationists alike.",
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"search_title": "In pictures – Young humpback whale washes ashore on Long Beach, Simon’s Town",
"search_description": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It's whale season in South Africa, a time when locals and tourists usually marvel at seeing these fascinating creatures breaching gleefully in our bays or floating calm",
"social_title": "In pictures – Young humpback whale washes ashore on Long Beach, Simon’s Town",
"social_description": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It's whale season in South Africa, a time when locals and tourists usually marvel at seeing these fascinating creatures breaching gleefully in our bays or floating calm",
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Humpbacks travel vast distances, migrating from Antarctic feeding grounds to the warmer breeding waters off Mozambique, Madagascar and Tanzania. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)
Recent weeks have brought a surge in whale activity along the False Bay coastline, with humpbacks frequently breaching and lunge feeding as part of their annual migration. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)
Recent weeks have brought a surge in whale activity along the False Bay coastline, with humpbacks frequently breaching and lunge feeding as part of their annual migration. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)
A young female humpback whale, washed up on Long Beach, Simon’s Town, this morning. City and police officials swiftly cordoning off the area to ensure safety and expedite removal on 15 October 2024. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)
A young female humpback whale, washed up on Long Beach, Simon’s Town, this morning. City and police officials swiftly cordoning off the area to ensure safety and expedite removal on 15 October 2024. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)
A young female humpback whale, washed up on Long Beach, Simon’s Town, this morning. City and police officials swiftly cordoning off the area to ensure safety and expedite removal on 15 October 2024. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)
The City of Cape Town quickly deployed heavy machinery to move the whale from the beach. Given the whale’s size, it posed a potential hazard to the many dog walkers and swimmers who frequent Long Beach on 15 October 2024. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)
The whale, easily identified as a humpback by its distinctive hump and long pectoral fins, was measured at 8 meters, confirming it as a subadult, likely just over a year old on 15 October 2024. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)
The whale, easily identified as a humpback by its distinctive hump and long pectoral fins, was measured at 8 meters, confirming it as a subadult, likely just over a year old on 15 October 2024. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)
A young female humpback whale, washed up on Long Beach, Simon’s Town, this morning. City and police officials swiftly cordoning off the area to ensure safety and expedite removal on 15 October 2024. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)
A young female humpback whale, washed up on Long Beach, Simon’s Town, this morning. City and police officials swiftly cordoning off the area to ensure safety and expedite removal on 15 October 2024. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)
(Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)
The City of Cape Town quickly deployed heavy machinery to move the whale from the beach. Given the whale’s size, it posed a potential hazard to the many dog walkers and swimmers who frequent Long Beach on 15 October 2024. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)
The City of Cape Town quickly deployed heavy machinery to move the whale from the beach. Given the whale’s size, it posed a potential hazard to the many dog walkers and swimmers who frequent Long Beach on 15 October 2024. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)
City and police officials acted rapidly, cordoning off the whale to ensure public safety. Their swift action allowed for a controlled removal operation, minimizing disruption to beachgoers on 15 October 2024. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)
City and police officials acted rapidly, cordoning off the whale to ensure public safety. Their swift action allowed for a controlled removal operation, minimizing disruption to beach-goers on 15 October 2024. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)
After samples were taken, the whale was transported by heavy machinery to a landfill, likely Coastal Park, where it will be disposed of, bringing the incident to a close. on 15 October 2024. (Photo: Gunnar Oberhosel)