Four false killer whales made their way to the V&A Waterfront on Sunday. The pod have taken shelter inside the Port of Table Bay, with the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) and The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) requesting the public to keep their distance from the sea mammals.
NSRI spokesman Craig Lambinon said that the pod included a calf. “Since this morning, Sunday, 4 February, four false killer whales, including a calf, have reportedly been swimming inside the Port of Table Bay in the V&A Marina,” Lambinon said.
Sailors have also been asked to be cautious around these creatures.
“The department of environmental affairs – oceans and coasts (DEA) has urged boaters to give these false killer whales as wide a berth as possible when maneuvering boats around the Marina Basin,” Lambinon added.
According to Wikipedia, the false killer whale also known as (Pseudorca crassidens) is the fourth-largest dolphin, a member of the oceanic dolphins. It lives in temperate and tropical waters throughout the world. As its name implies, the false killer whale shares characteristics with the more widely known killer whale (Orcinus orca), though the species belong to different genera within Delphinidae; as well as similarities in appearance, both species attack and kill other marine mammals.
Interesting fact:
A false killer whale and a bottlenose dolphin mated in captivity and produced a fertile calf. The hybrid offspring has been called a “wholphin”.
Watch the false killer whales frolic in the harbour…
ALERT: 4 False killer whales, including a calf are currently swimming around boats at the @VandAWaterfront . 3 stranded whales were rescued from Blouberg yday. The DEA, @2OceansAquarium ,@NSRI and @CityofCT are monitoring them. Skippers encouraged not to stop near them for pics. pic.twitter.com/6B2LoBB7cR
— Environmentza (@environmentza) February 4, 2018
Seems our pod of #FalseKillerwhales loves the @VandAWaterfront almost as much as we do. ? The DEA, @CityofCT & @2OceansAquarium teams have managed to get them out of traffic but they remain at the south arm of the harbour. Teams have opted not to stress them further for the day. pic.twitter.com/BW70vVuuGw
— Environmentza (@environmentza) February 5, 2018
Picture: Twitter