what are the 44 beached whales euthanize in South Africa ?
44 beached whales euthanized in South Africa www.chinaview.cn 2009-06-01 14:51:23 Print by Li Jianmin JOHANNESBURG, June 1 (Xinhua) — Attempts to rescue a pod of stranded false killer whales on Kommetjie Beach in South Africa’s Western Cape ended with 44 of the mammals being euthanized, the country’s environment affairs department has said. “Forty-four whales had to be euthanized to prevent further suffering after all attempts to rescue them were unsuccessful due to the unfavorable weather conditions,” said spokeswoman Carol Moses in a statement on Sunday. “The decision to euthanise the whales was made collaboratively after all options were considered by the various role players,” the statement said. Marine and Coastal Management scientist Mike Meyer said 42 of the whales were euthanised on Saturday evening and another two during the Saturday night. “Our biggest problem was on the day there was one of the worst climates we’ve had. T
Police had to put down 44 of the exhausted false killer whales to end their suffering, prompting scuffles with distraught locals desperate to save them. South Africa — Authorities on Sunday began the grim task of removing the carcasses of 55 whales that beached themselves and had to be shot despite the frantic rescue efforts of hundreds of volunteers. Police had to put down 44 of the exhausted false killer whales to end their suffering, prompting scuffles with distraught locals desperate to save them. The rest died of stress and organ failure and the bodies of three whales who were initially thought to have escaped washed up overnight. Ian Klopper of the National Sea Rescue Institute said a boat was sent to recover the carcass of a whale stuck on rocks near the beach at Kommitjie. Authorities warned surfers to be careful of great white sharks circling in the frigid water in search of any remaining bodies. Although few bathers venture into the water during the southern hemisphere winter
