BY KATELYN SWANEPOEL

University of Pretoria MRI Whale Unit

Ever wondered how scientists keep track of whales? Do they sign a guestbook when they pop into the bay? Or how scientists know which whale is which? Pull up a deck chair (ocean view recommended) because you’re about to find out.

With the Kalfiefees around the corner, it feels like the perfect time to let you in on the behind-the-scenes of southern right whale identification. Think of it as a combination of CSI: Whale Edition and the infamous picture book Where’s Wally, especially the imposter Wally page but with whales. 

Every year, the University of Pretoria’s Mammal Research Institute Whale Unit conducts an aerial survey for the purpose of identifying our southern right whales. From Plettenberg Bay to Muizenberg, scientists snap a multitude of photos of every whale they encounter. And once the fun is over, the real detective work begins (the most time-consuming part of the job). Scientists comb through every image to pick the best “mugshot” (clear headshot, minimal foam, no bad angles). These are edited and cropped for the ultimate whale lineup. 

But why are whale heads of interest? You might know of the white, crusty patches found on the heads of southern right whales. These patches are known as callosities, and contrary to what you’ve believed are barnacles, are in fact calloused skin with whale lice attached to them. These lice are what make the patches appear white. Each whale has their own unique pattern of callosities that’re fixed since birth – just like fingerprints. 

To identify the whales, an individual mugshot is imported into the whale version of CODIS. This system contains the mugshots of every whale encountered since 1979. The system suggests possible matches, but the final verdict? That’s all human. Scientists zoom in CSI-style to confirm if the callosity patterns match. Every match is a little victory – just like finding Wally.  A match can be made to a whale within the same year or one that visited in previous years. 

Once the whale has been identified, and given a unique ID number, it is noted in a sighting catalogue that reflects the number of times it has been seen. 

For example, Bond (identity R0072) was the 72nd whale sighted for the first time in 2000. She has been seen around our shores six times thereafter.

Thea (identity R7918) has been sighted 11 times over the last 46 years on her return from the deep seas to calf. Her most recent sighting was in 2023. She is one of the oldest whales in the Whale Unit database.

Cathy (identity R1649), first seen in 2016, visited Hermanus for a second time in 2021, and can be expected to visit the bay for a third time this year. 

So, when you pull up that deck chair again (spotting a whale or two) remember: somewhere, hunched over a screen, is a scientist searching for ‘Whal-e’ in an ocean full of near identical giants.

‘The Belgian’, located at the Hermanus Waterfront, recently closed its doors to undergo a full rebrand and renovation. It has now reopened as ‘Stacked’ – a fresh, funky take on the original concept, with a bold new look and an updated menu to match.

Owned by Henri Grove and his son-in-law Lyall Wiggill (co-owners of Fusion Restaurant and Groves Café), along with shareholder Kobus Roberts (long-time manager of Fusion Restaurant), Stacked is Lyall’s brainchild. The concept, branding, interior design, and menu were all imagined by Lyall and brought to life with help from professionals such as local consultant chef, Wander Bester. 

Both the interior and exterior of the restaurant have been completely redone with a fresh coat of paint, new fittings, and updated furniture. Inside, a modern industrial look has been created using exposed brick, herringbone tiling, and metal fittings, mirrors, and chairs. To add warmth to the restaurant, the exterior door and window frames, as well as the main interior wall, have been painted an inviting shade of yellow inspired by the Stacked logo. Framed abstract geometric images add an extra splash of colour.

The new menu reflects Stacked’s funky style, both in design and in the amusing names of the dishes. 

New waffle creations include ‘Apple of My Pie’ (warm cinnamon and ginger-spiced apples with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, topped with pastry crumbs and a drizzle of homemade apple butter sauce), while some of the fan favourites from The Belgian, such as the brownie waffle, remain. "We have not changed the recipe that we use for our Belgian waffles,"says Lyall. "We’ve just introduced some new topping options and increased the size of the ice cream serving."

For those after something less sweet, Stacked offers a range of savoury items, including vegan-friendly options. Choose from baskets of savoury bites and fries, or opt for the loaded fries such as the vegan ‘No Moo Ragù’ that consists of homemade tomato ragout piled high with guacamole, coriander chilli salsa, crunchy nacho shards, and spicy sriracha mayo.

The burgers have also had a makeover, switching to smash burgers served on either a Belgian waffle or brioche bun. The smoky-sweet ‘Upstacker’ is a must-try, with beef patties, Cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, caramelised red onion, and homemade honey mustard aioli.

On the drinks menu, Stacked caters for all tastes, offering coffees, tea, soft drinks, wine, South African beers and ciders, craft gin, and craft beers including The Frosty Whale Lager. There’s also a range of Belgian abbey and Trappist beers, Belgian cherry and fruit beers, classic milkshakes, and decadent shakes like ‘Cinnamon Apple Pie’; ‘Nut’ella and Waffle Stick'; and ‘Caramel and Roasted Pecan’.

The restaurant also has a children's menu and offers breakfast, which includes a mix of sweet and savoury options.

Stacked is open seven days a week, from 9:00 to 18:00 on weekends and 10:00 to 18:00 on weekdays. The superb front-of-house and kitchen staff from The Belgian are still there and ready to welcome you with a smile.

BY DR HANS BRITZ

Onrus Veterinary Clinic

As winter settles over South Africa, many pet owners assume they can take a break from treating their dogs and cats for ticks and fleas. This is a dangerous misconception. 

Ticks and fleas are not just a seasonal nuisance – they pose a serious, year-round threat to the health of our pets, and in some cases, even to us.

Ticks and fleas are remarkably resilient. While they may be more active during the warmer months, they don’t simply disappear when the weather turns chilly. In many parts of South Africa, temperatures rarely drop low enough to interrupt their life cycles. 

Fleas, in particular, thrive indoors where it’s warm and cosy, breeding in pet bedding, carpets, and furniture. Ticks can also find shelter in cracks, grass, or walls, waiting for the next warm day or unsuspecting host. More than just an itchy irritation, they are vectors of serious, potentially life-threatening diseases in both dogs and cats.

In dogs, two of the most common tick-borne diseases are babesiosis and ehrlichiosis. Babesiosis is caused by a microscopic parasite that attacks red blood cells, leading to anaemia. Symptoms include:

• Pale gums 

• Fever

• Dark urine

• Lethargy

• and in severe cases, collapse

Ehrlichiosis (commonly known as tick-bite fever) affects the immune system and can cause fever, appetite loss, swollen lymph nodes, bruising, or bleeding. If left untreated, it can become chronic and difficult to manage. These diseases are transmitted primarily by the brown dog tick, which can remain active all year, especially in kennels and homes.

Cats are also vulnerable to serious tick-and flea-borne diseases that are often under-recognised by pet owners. Feline babesiosis is spread by ticks and is more prevalent than many people realise, especially in certain parts of South Africa. It causes destruction of red blood cells and can be fatal, particularly in kittens and immune-compromised cats. It can also lead to:

• Lethargy and weakness

• Pale or yellow-tinged gums (anaemia or jaundice)

• Fever

• Loss of appetite

• Weight loss

Previously known as feline haemobartonellosis, feline mycoplasmosis is caused by a blood parasite transmitted by fleas or ticks, and sometimes through cat fights or from mother to kitten. It attaches to red blood cells and leads to anaemia. Common signs include:

• Pale or yellow gums

• Weakness or collapse

• Loss of appetite

• Fever

• Enlarged spleen

Some cats can become chronic carriers, and stress or concurrent illness can trigger relapses, making this a long-term concern for infected cats. Regardless of the season, be alert to the following:

• Scratching or biting at the skin

• Red, irritated or scabby skin

• Visible ticks or fleas (or black flea dirt)

• Pale gums or jaundice

• Weakness or lethargy

• Fever

• Loss of appetite

• Weight loss

• Swollen lymph nodes

Treating these diseases can be challenging, costly, and isn’t always successful. Prevention is simple, safe, and affordable. 

There are many effective products available, and many also offer protection against internal parasites and mites. Always choose a veterinary-approved product and consult your vet about the best option for your pet’s lifestyle.

BY JENNY PARSONS

In the Overstrand there are several critically endangered bird species. This area includes the greater Hermanus area (Stanford and Gansbaai), the four coastal villages of the Kogelberg Biosphere – Rooiels, Pringle Bay, Betty’s Bay and Kleinmond – and the surrounding Renosterveld and coastal habitats. In the last few months, we had good and bad news. There is hope for the Critically Endangered African Penguin as no-fishing zones have been agreed to. But, sadly South Africa’s national bird, the Blue Crane, has been uplisted from Near-threatened to Vulnerable. Another bird facing enormous threats due to our human footprint is the Black Harrier who is considered Endangered. There are several other red listed birds that are also found in the area.

The African Penguin also known as the jackass penguin (they sound just like a braying donkey) is the only resident penguin seen along our shores, and is a breeding endemic. This is a medium-sized penguin with distinctive black and white colouring. The black facial mask shows the pink glands above the eyes that help regulate their body temperature. They are gregarious birds that live in colonies and breed in burrows and under bushes to avoid overheating and predators. They are found along the rocky coastline at Stony Point Nature Reserve in Betty’s Bay, and on Dyer Island off Gansbaai. BirdLife South Africa, Cape Nature and Dyer Island Conservation Trust all work tirelessly to conserve this species. 

The African Penguin is Critically Endangered with the main threats including overfishing, oil spills, habitat destruction, climate change and predation on land by invasive species. These birds are threatened with extinction by 2035 if their population keeps falling at the current rate. This means that in our lifetime, our children’s children will not know these fascinating birds. 

However, in March 2025, an out of court settlement agreement was reached between BirdLife South Africa (BLSA), Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds, South African Pelagic Fishing with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment. The outcome was the establishment of no-take zones for sardine and anchovy fishing around key breeding colonies. This is a move in the right direction but that the threats facing the African Penguin are complex and ongoing.

The Overberg area, which includes part of the Overstrand, is one of the most important habitats for the Blue Crane outside the Karoo and eastern Free State. These large and elegant birds are easily identifiable and have characteristically long black underwing feathers which extend like a tail to the ground. Their voice is loud and guttural, typical of crane-like honking. They eat seeds, roots, bulbs, shoots, and insects. Crops such as wheat and lucerne are foraging grounds, and one can often see them feeding from the livestock troughs in the Overberg, which has led to human-wildlife conflict with farmers.

Blue cranes mate for life and despite being social animals they are territorial solitary breeders. They nest in secluded areas on bare ground, and occasionally in wetlands with short vegetation. In the Overberg, they are typically found nesting in pastures, however most nests are close to natural fynbos vegetation as this provides some cover for the chicks before they fledge. Breeding time in the Western Cape is in the dry season and chicks can be observed from November onwards. Sadly, the chicks often die during the first year as they are vulnerable to many threats. 

The bad news is that our national bird has officially been uplisted from Near-threatened to Vulnerable which does not bode well for its future. Data collected by citizen scientists for the Coordinated Avifaunal Roadcounts project has shown a 44% decline in the Overberg population over the last 15 years. In December 2024 the Kogelberg Biosphere Wildlife Rescue & Training Centre became the first permitted centre in the Western Cape. This centre is now providing critical care to vulnerable wildlife, with the aim of releasing the injured animals once they have recovered. The good news is that two hand-raised Blue Crane chicks were rescued, raised and rewilded before being released back into their natural habitat in June 2025. 

The Black Harrier is an endangered raptor endemic to the fynbos and Renosterveld ecosystems. Though globally listed as Endangered, its regional status highlights the critically threatened habitat of the Renosterveld. The Overberg Renosterveld Conservation Trust (ORT) was founded in 2012 and Odette Curtis-Scott champions the understanding of the biodiversity & threatened species found in Renosterveld remnants. There are approximately 1300 Black Harriers remaining in the wild and ORT is working with other conservation partners to try and reverse the survival crisis facing these birds. By tagging and tracking the birds the data collected has shown how these birds move, forage and the threats they face. 

The ‘green energy’ revolution means more wind farms are being developed, but the ecological footprint of these large-scale developments is still relatively unknown. This is a great concern as the spinning turbines become ‘invisible’ to the birds who collide with them. It was good to read in June 2025 that, when a new wind farm was approved near Swellendam, ORT was asking how it would affect the biodiversity. 

Several mitigation measures were negotiated with the developers such as patterned blades being used for the turbines to make them more visible to the birds, as well as a shutdown-on-demand system implemented together with observers on the ground to monitor Black Harrier activities. All fatalities of the different species of concern are reported within 24 hours to ORT and BLSA. The data provided from these measures will inform the science that ultimately lays the foundation of a successful conservation program. Image © Jenny Parsons 

If you find a bird in distress please reach out to:

• The DICT Penguin Rescue Line 072 598 7117

• SANCCOB emergency rescue 021 557 6155

• Kogelberg Biosphere Wildlife Rescue & Training Centre  082 380 9071

• CAR Project – FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology (UCT) 021 650 2421

• Overberg Renosterveld Conservation Trust 083 551 3341