Trapped whale shark freed from harbour
by Admin on Dec.08, 2009, under Conservation, News
It took rescue services more than six hours and the help of dozens of volunteers to rescue a young whale shark that beached at Durban Harbour on Thursday 4 December.
The whale shark, which measured 6m, was eventually herded out with the tide late yesterday afternoon.
Describing the long, arduous but successful rescue operation, National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) spokesman Craig Lambinon said rescuers had been elated when they realised the operation was going to end in success.
Working hand in hand, NSRI swimmers, SA police Search and Rescue services, SA Navy Divers, uShaka aquarium staff and Ezemvelo Wildlife officials finally managed to strap the whale shark to the NSRI Megan 3 rescue craft and it was escorted out by the navy harbour patrol vessel and was released one nautical mile off shore “It is unknown why it beached as it appeared to be healthy, but we are very happy that we managed to rescue it,” Lambinon said.
The whale shark was first spotted yesterday morning by people working around the harbour near the Point Yacht Club.
It was not long after that paramedics and the public and rescue officials gathered around the whale shark, which was constantly splashing water in an attempt to swim away.
A paramedic who was among those who had walked across to the whale shark said people were frantically trying to get the fish into a sling so that they could pull it out of the harbour, but all to no avail because it was very heavy.
A fisherman who was also trying to assist said he was amazed at how big it was.
“You would think a big group like this would be able to lift it up in one go, but never. I really hope that they can save it,” he said as he made his way out of the water.
Pupils who were on the Jolly Roger at harbour also got a glimpse of the whale shark, but before they could get close enough, the boat was sent away by naval officials who were concerned about further traumatising the animal.
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