Whale carcass in Hermanus: Residents warned to not ‘eat the meat’

The Overstrand municipality in the Western Cape has warned residents not to eat the potentially contaminated meat of a whale carcass that washed up in Hermanus on Wednesday.

RESIDENT WARNED: DON’T EAT THE MEAT

According to reports, the whale was sighted floating in the water close to Hermanus Beach Club before it washed up on the rocks near Schulphoek.

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The warning comes after videos and photos were posted on social media showing adults and children flocking to harvest meat from the carcass.

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IT IS UNKNOWN WHY THE WHALE DIED

Overstrand deputy mayor Lindile Ntsabo issued a statement warning members of the public not to eat the meat as it was unknown why the whale died.

He said besides concerns about the cause of death, the meat and blubber were rotten and could lead to food poisoning.

THE MEAT AND BLUBBER ARE ROTTEN AND COULD LEAD TO FOOD POISONING

Scientists from the Overberg Stranding Network could not immediately confirm the cause of death and reported there was not much left of the creature for sampling.

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WATCH AS THE WHALE CARCASS IS SPOTTED

According to reports, the whale carcass was first spotted in the water near The Point in Mossel Bay.

The spokesperson for the Stranded Marine Animal Rescue Team (S.M.A.R.T.), Val Marsh, said the team has been keeping an eye on the carcass and is now at the beach in Hersham.

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THE CARCASS WAS DECOMPOSED TO POSITIVELY IDENTIFY THE TYPE OF WHALE

“The beach is closed, and we are waiting for the carcass to be removed.”

Val Marsh

The carcass is too decomposed to positively identify the type of whale. It is believed the carcass will be buried today.

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This article was originally published by Corné van Zyl.