Subject: Beached whales off South African coast
Lindsay J Porter (h9390327@hkucc.hku.hk)
Sun, 5 Apr 1998 20:54:54 +0800 (HKT)
>On a recent hike on the eastern coast of South Africa(near Port Alfred) we
>found two stranded whales. Although dead, they appeared to be relatively
>fresh. We are trying to find out what type of whale they would be.
>
>Approximate size: 6 - 8m
>Colour: light grey
>Other distinguishing features: toothed; distinct hump before the tail;
>rounded forehead
Dear Rose and Paul,
My first thought after seeing your description was of an Indo-pacific
hump-backed dolphin (particularly with reference to the pronounced hump
beind the dorsal fin). 6-8m, however, is twice too long for this species SO
I refered to the FAO global guide to whales and dolphins. The species you
describe could be
Pseudorca crassidens (False killer whale) - although light grey would be unusual
or
Globicephala macrorhynchus (short-finned pilot whale) - again should be darker
These two being the only ones which fall in that size class.
I suggest you compile a more detailed description, did you take any
pictures?, and send it to
Dr V.G. Cockcroft
CENTRE FOR DOLPHIN STUDIES
Port Elizabeth Museum & University of Port Elizabeth
PO Box 13147, Humewood. 6013
South Africa
email: pemvgc@zoo.upe.ac.za
who will be able to answer your question with more certainty than I! I have
already forwarded your description (above) to him.
Sorry I can't be of more help
with all best wishes
Lindsay J Porter
email h9390327@hkucc.hku.hk
Dolphin Research Group
The Swire Institute of Marine Science
The University of Hong Kong
Cape d'Aguilar
Hong Kong
website: http://www.webdivers.co.uk/dolphin/index.html