LOCAL LIFE

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 Lighthouse 2 Lighthouse Ladies (L2L) held their annual Awards Ceremony at the Hermanus Golf Club on 16 May, where they revealed the total funds raised for the 2025 L2L year. Guests included walkers, sponsors, and beneficiaries of the 2025 walk, who were all waiting in anticipation for the results. 

After a meal and a thank you to all of the sponsors and supporters, the L2L committee announced that R40 000 had been raised for secondary beneficiaries BARC Animal Welfare in Gansbaai and Kleinmond Animal Welfare; and R700 000 had been raised for the main beneficiary for 2025, Huis Lettie Theron. Huis Lettie will use the funds raised to extend their dementia unit to support patients and their families. 

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Tanzanites & Diamonds of Hermanus

Emeralds: May birthstone

The emerald, a symbol of rebirth, is believed to grant the owner foresight, good fortune, and youth. Whether you are looking for a gift for someone special, or simply want to spoil yourself, we have a range of beautiful pieces to choose from. 

Shop 17a Royal Centre, 17a Main Road, Hermanus

Tel: 028 312 4074

Local husband-and-wife team Gary Holtshausen (a certified sports therapist) and Lynne Goulding (a strategic foresight consultant), both from South Africa, first met in 2012 while working in their respective fields in London.

Gary and Lynne’s journey took an unexpected turn in 2019 when they flew to South Africa to spend time with family in the Western Cape. Their plans to return to London were disrupted by the pandemic in 2020, which kept them in the country longer than anticipated, ultimately leading to a move to Hermanus.

With two young children of their own, now aged five and three, Gary and Lynne quickly realised that there was a gap in the local market for child-oriented activities, especially during the colder and wetter winter months. This led to the start of an exciting new venture: a family-friendly indoor play park in Hermanus that caters to both parents and children.

After exploring various business ideas, they began researching venues that could bring their vision to life. Unable to find a suitable building, they discovered the perfect plot of land in Hemel-en-Aarde Village (zoned for tourism) and decided to build their dream indoor play park from the ground up, calling it ‘Whale of a Time Play Park’. Construction began in 2024, with a focus on creating a space tailored to the needs of families, including ample space for play structures.

The play park is designed with both kids and adults in mind, and offers a variety of fun, stimulating and engaging activities for children, and a relaxing environment for parents. 

Inside the park, there is a dedicated toddler area complete with a ball pit, interactive wall, and other sensory play options. For older children, the play park offers a range of exciting features, including a rope course, rock climbing wall, slides, and trampolines. 

Safety is the number one priority at Whale of a Time Play Park, and employees have been carefully selected based on their background in childcare and attentiveness to the needs of children. The staff are also undergoing first-aid training, and will continue attending skills development courses to ensure a safe environment for everyone. To guarantee that every child is properly supervised, at this stage parents are required to remain with their children at the play park (drop-offs are not allowed).

To complement the fun and excitement of the play park, Gary and Lynne approached renowned local restaurateur Petri Hendriksz – owner of Pear Tree, Char'd Grill & Wine Bar, and Milk on the Beach – as a consultant to create a unique restaurant experience. Petri, in turn, called in consultant chef Wander Bester to assist in creating a breakfast and lunch menu that offers healthier and fresher options than typically found at play parks, without sacrificing the fun treats that kids love, like milkshakes and slushies. 

While their children play, carefully monitored by the staff, parents can relax at the restaurant’s indoor or outdoor seating areas, or at the coffee station and mini bar, which features products from local businesses such as Dawn Coffee Roasters, The Frosty Whale, and Creation Wines. 

The play park is set to officially open in early April, and with some exciting features still planned, it's sure to be popular with both adults and children. As Gary and Lynne say, "If both adults and kids leave here feeling like they have had a whale of a time, then we have succeeded in what we set out to do."

To ensure a quality experience, the play park operates on a booking system to manage the number of children attending at any given time. Play slots are two hours long on weekends and holidays, and four hours long on weekdays (they are closed on Mondays).

For more information visit www.whaleofatimeplay.co.za, phone 021 020 4718, or find them at 16 Village Lane, Hemel-en-Aarde Village, Hermanus. Keep an eye on their Facebook and Instagram pages for the official opening date and updates. 

Whale of a Time Play Park follows UK Health and Safety guidelines so that families can enjoy the space with peace of mind. It is designed to be a clean, high-end facility that provides all-around family entertainment. It is also equipped with a medical room for emergencies, where staff will assess, with parents, whether urgent medical attention is needed. The park is fully insured, and any necessary medical treatment, including the cost of private ambulances, will be covered. A waiver must be signed before entering the premises.