Garden Route National Park Operations Amid Ongoing Severe Weather
The Garden Route region continues to experience heavy rainfall, although wind conditions have subsided compared to yesterday, 11 May 2026. Damage asse...
“Burying the carcass will delay the decomposition process” according to Johan de Klerk, Area Manager of Knysna, SANParks. Two alternatives will be considered in conjunction with the Knysna Municipality; repositioning the whale to face the high tide and should this fail, break it into pieces and throw it back to sea.
The cause of death is still unknown but de Klerk confirmed teams working on the carcass would need to wear full protective clothing.
The whale is currently parallel to the West of the Knoetzie beach and although the Knysna section of the GRNP starts from the Eastern side, SANParks has committed to assist with the matter.
Scientists will be on the scene to determine causes of death, its age and all relevant information.