Killer Whale Rescued At St James, South Africa

Wednesday, March 31, 2004
SOUTH AFRICA - A killer whale was pulled back into the sea by rescuers at St James Beach in St James, South Africa late yesterday after it was stranded on rocks near the shore for about three hours.

Kalk Bay chief fisheries inspector Pat Stacey said a rope was tied around the four-metre female's tail before rescuers gently dragged her out with the tide. She was finally set free following two failed attempts, he said.

Stacey said: "She was not yet fully grown and was very disoriented. Even after we had managed to get her into the sea, she swam back into the rocks. But we pushed her back again and she swam away.

"When we found her, she had a few cuts on her side, but we hope she's not going to be stranded elsewhere again."

He said members of the public had helped by splashing the animal with water to keep her cool and ensuring that her blow-hole was kept clear.

"We had to keep her calm, she was very distressed, but we are very pleased that we were able to save her," Stacey said.

Dolphin Action Group head Nan Rice said whales that became singly stranded usually came ashore because they were ill.