Whale Shark rescued in South Africa

Media Release

National Sea Rescue Institute ( NSRI )

05. April 2014

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St Helena Bay – Whale Shark rescue:

SEA RESCUE – St Helena Bay – Friday, 04 April, 2014. Whale Shark rescue:

At 15h17, Friday, 04 April, NSRI Mykonos volunteer sea rescue duty crew were activated following reports of a Whale Shark appearing to be in distress at Stompneus Bay harbour, (near to St Helena Bay).

NSRI Mykonos volunteer sea rescue duty crew responded towing the NSRI sea rescue craft TRANSNET NATIONAL PORTS AUTHORITY Rescue Runner to the scene to see what assistance could be rendered and the local HOW Wildlife Rescue team were activated to assist and they also responded a team of volunteers.

On arrival on-scene an approximately 5 to 6 meter Whale Shark was found in shallow water adjacent to the Stompneus Bay harbour appearing to be weak and in distress.

With guidance from the Department of Environment – Oceans and Coasts the NSRI Mykonos volunteers and the volunteers of HOW Wildlife Rescue attempted to coax the Whale Shark out to sea and finding the Whale Shark appearing to be too weak to respond the NSRI sea rescue craft and ropes were used to gently pull the Whale Shark into deeper water where once in open water the Whale Shark appeared to respond more positively and it was released.

NSRI Mykonos and HOW Wildlife Rescue are cautiously optimistic that the Whale Shark has survived. By 19h00 when it was finally released to open water the Whale Shark appeared to be swimming with more confidence.

St Helena Bay locals have been requested to monitor the shoreline to see if the Whale Shark comes ashore again.

Source and Photo Credit: NSRI