Sad end to stranded Humphrey’s battle

THE tale of the stranded humpback whale had a sad ending when Humphrey lost his extended struggle on Tuesday evening.

The group that teamed up at the lagoon south of Walvis Bay from Sunday, determined to give Humphrey a fighting chance, dispersed exhausted and disappointed around sunset when they conceded defeat against nature. Naudé Dreyer, who co-ordinated efforts during the three-day battle, said he didn’t want to go back to witness the inevitable yesterday.The crew of Mola-Mola Safari boats that sailed in the area yesterday reported that they saw no movement of the large body.”We are all tired and upset,” said Dreyer “but we accept that it happened for the best.”Members of the rescue team suggested that a task group be established to prepare a plan of action should such an incident happen again.Humphrey was still relatively young.Estimations of his length ranged between six and eight metres, with a weight of between six and 15 tonnes.A fully grown humpback whale can reach a length of 15 metres and weigh a massive 45 tonnes.It is now up to the authorities to decide whether to leave the carcass where it is or retrieve it for research purposes.Naudé Dreyer, who co-ordinated efforts during the three-day battle, said he didn’t want to go back to witness the inevitable yesterday.The crew of Mola-Mola Safari boats that sailed in the area yesterday reported that they saw no movement of the large body.”We are all tired and upset,” said Dreyer “but we accept that it happened for the best.”Members of the rescue team suggested that a task group be established to prepare a plan of action should such an incident happen again.Humphrey was still relatively young.Estimations of his length ranged between six and eight metres, with a weight of between six and 15 tonnes.A fully grown humpback whale can reach a length of 15 metres and weigh a massive 45 tonnes.It is now up to the authorities to decide whether to leave the carcass where it is or retrieve it for research purposes.