Another quiet week with just one incident — but what an incident. A Kogia (dwarf or pygmy sperm whale) beached at Gourits on Friday, and SMART’s dedicated Gourits responders Nicky and Hanlie Mills rose to the occasion with their characteristic efficiency and commitment. A reminder of how vital our far-flung volunteers are to the network.
Incident — Kogia Stranding, Gourits
📍 Location: Gourits (isolated coastal stretch) 📅 Date: Friday 1 May 👤 Responders: Nicky Mills
- A Kogia — either a dwarf or pygmy sperm whale — beached on a fairly isolated stretch of coastline at Gourits.
- Long-standing SMART volunteer Nicky Mills responded to the scene and successfully obtained measurements and photographs of the animal for submission to Deon Kotze at DFFE in Cape Town.
- The remote location made the response particularly challenging, highlighting the indispensable role that locally based volunteers like Nicky and Hanlie play in SMART’s network.
🐋 Species Note: Kogia is a genus comprising the dwarf sperm whale (Kogia sima) and pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps). Both are small, deep-diving cetaceans rarely seen alive. Photographic and measurement data are invaluable for scientific records.
Volunteer Spotlight — Nicky & Hanlie Mills, Gourits
- Nicky and Hanlie Mills are SMART’s eyes and ears at Gourits — an area too remote for rapid response from the main team. Their dedication ensures no stranding in that stretch goes unattended.
- Earlier this year they were instrumental in organising day-to-day monitoring of elephant seal ‘Lu-seal’, who spent almost four weeks moulting on their beach in January and February.
- They do us proud. SMART is only as strong as its volunteer network, and Nicky and Hanlie exemplify what that means.
💙 Thank you: Nicky and Hanlie — your commitment and willingness to respond in a remote area makes an immeasurable difference. SMART is deeply grateful.
Weather Watch — Team on Standby
- The weather forecast for the coming week is concerning. Rain is needed, but the risk of flooding along coastal stretches could bring additional strandings or hazards.
- SMART is on standby and will respond as needed. All volunteers are asked to remain alert and report anything unusual on the beaches.
⚠️ Standby: Team on alert for potential weather-related incidents this week. Rain welcome — flooding is not. Stay safe out there.
Till next week — keep well and stay dry. 🐾