A juvenile Humpback whale entangled in fishing rope and towing a large flotation buoy has been successfully freed by the South African Whale Disentanglement Network (SAWDN) and National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) off Kidd’s Beach, about 15 nautical miles from East London.
The whale was first reported on Friday, 6 June, after being spotted near Haga Haga, heading south. Aerial searches coordinated by Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) Aquarium helped locate the mammal offshore of Gulu on Saturday morning.
The NSRI East London team, aboard the rescue craft Spirit of DHL, responded with SAWDN-trained volunteers. The 7–8 meter whale was found with rope wrapped around its tail and moving slowly due to the trailing buoy. Using specialised cutting equipment, rescuers made four precise cuts to remove the entanglement.
“Once we made the first cut, the whale seemed to realise we were there to help,” said NSRI coxswain Geoff McGregor. Despite some evasive diving, the whale eventually cooperated, allowing the team to safely complete the operation.
All entangling gear was recovered for disposal. Preliminary inspection suggests the equipment originated from a foreign fishing vessel currently located off the coast of South America.
Following its release, the whale swam freely and confidently before disappearing beneath the surface.
Authorities urge the public not to attempt whale rescues, warning that well-meaning interventions can jeopardize both animal and human safety. SAWDN-trained teams undergo extensive preparation to manage such high-risk operations.
SAWDN was established in 2006 and operates along the entire South African coastline.
