Table Mountain National Park and the City of Cape Town would like to advise the public that the burning of the the Southern Right whale that beached off Kommetjie on Friday, 21 July 2006, has begun. They repeat thier appeal to the public to stay away from this area, which has been cordoned off with razor wire to protect the sensitive dune environment.
The burning will significantly reduce the 34 ton whale carcass. Once the biomass has been significantly reduced, the remaining carcass and skeleton will be disposed of. The method of disposal (by air, sea or land) will be finalised once the burning operation has been completed and an informed decision on the best method made.
Both the TMNP and the City have taken the position that the burning operation will be continuously evaluated and if at any time it is deemed to be unsuccessful or harmful to the health of the community or the environment the burning will be immediately stopped.
The caution issued by the Cape Town Shark Working Group to swimmers, surfers and kayakers to be aware of possible increased white shark activity for the area between Scarborough and Noordhoek Corner remains in place. Pictures and updates are posted at http://www.sanparks.org/