Southern-Right whales are back in numbers and they are back with a big bang!
The first Southern-Right whale count survey of the year took place last week, and with the help of Jean Tresfon, marine conservation photographer, the researchers from the University of Pretoria Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences’ Department of Zoology and Entomology and the Mammal Research Institute flew the coastline between Hermanus New Harbour and Witsand, an area known to cover some of the main nursery areas for the species.
During the flight they counted 556 mothers with calves (1 112 whales) and 24 adults without calves (for a total of 1 136 whales). Half of these were in front of Koppie Alleen (236 mothers with calves) at De Hoop Collection Nature Reserve, whereas 172 mothers with calves were counted between Agulhas and Struisbaai, and 55 in Walker Bay.
The team wished to thank Grootbos Private Nature Reserve and the Denel Overberg Test Range for accommodating them.
