Giant Squid and Pilot Whale Calf Wash Ashore Along Atlantic Coastline

Both a rare Giant Squid and a pilot Whale Calf were washed ashore along the Atlantic coastline of South Africa this week.

The Giant Squid washed up at Scarborough beach on Tuesday, 16 August 2022, and the dead Pilot Whales calf washed ashore at Table View beach on Thursday morning, 18 August.

Of the squid, City of Cape Town’s Deputy Mayor Eddie Andrews said: “Scientists from the Iziko Museum were alerted and took measurements for records and samples for genetic testing. Although they are deep water animals, this is not an unusual event as we do get one or two washing ashore in this area every year.”

The National Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, sent out a team to collect the whale calf’s carcass and transported it to the Paarden Island facility for National Government to undertake an autopsy to determine its cause of death.

“Pilot Whales are deep-sea animals and we also get them often along our shore. It is not unusual for these animals to get stranded and we will keep on monitoring our coastline in the coming days,” said Andrews.

A Giant Squid and Pilot Whale calf have washed ashore at Scarborough and Table View beaches this week. The City of Cape Town’s Coastal Management Branch assisted with the removal of these carcasses.

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— City of Cape Town (@CityofCT) August 18, 2022

Issued by: Media Office, City of Cape Town