On Tuesday, 28 April, a stranded whale was reported near Die Dam by Mr Charl van Niekerk. The Dyer Island Conservation Trust (DICT) team was alerted, with the response team consisting of Dr Loraine Shuttleworth (Head of Research) and Wilfred Chivell (CEO of Marine Dynamics).

The Marine Dynamics vehicle used to attend stranding events.

Upon arrival, it was immediately evident that the animal’s death was consistent with a vessel strike; the second recorded in April alone. The whale’s body was severely deformed, bent at an approximately 90-degree angle, with clear propeller wounds visible near the tail stock. The individual was identified as a juvenile male Brydes whale, measuring approximately 8.61 meters in length. Due to the unnatural curvature of the body, two separate measurements were taken and combined to estimate total length. Skin and blubber samples were collected for future analysis.

The body of the Brydes whale, bent at an approximately 90 degree angle, as a result of a collision with a vessel.

These ship strike incidents are occurring against a backdrop of shifting global shipping patterns. Ongoing conflict in the Middle East has led major shipping and logistics companies to reroute vessels around the southern tip of Africa, increasing vessel traffic along the South African coastline. While this presents economic opportunities, it also elevates the risk of collisions with marine megafauna, including whales.

Propeller scars clearly visible near the tail stock of the whale.

Although deeply concerning, documenting these events is critical. Each stranding provides valuable data that can inform management strategies, guide policy decisions, and contribute to mitigating future incidents. DICT continues to work closely with relevant authorities to report and monitor such cases. We would like to thank Mr van Niekerk, who has alerted us to multiple strandings in the past, for his continued interest in our conservation and research activities.

Public reporting remains an essential part of this process. We urge anyone who encounters a stranded or injured marine animal to report it as soon as possible. When doing so, please remember to include the GPS location, a detailed description of the animal, and photographs where possible.

Strandings can be reported at: +27 (0)82 907 5607