Come have a good time whale you're waiting

KNYSNA NEWS – This coming Saturday, 5 June, Knysna will host the first in a series of 25 events on the African coastline to welcome the whales to our shores this year.

With the longest migration of any mammal, it is apt that the Southern Hemisphere Humpback Whale Migration Route, a joint venture between the World Cetacean Alliance, Raggy Charters and other whale enthusiasts and groups along the African coastline, is the longest whale heritage route celebrated on the planet.

The 24 events to follow stretch all the way from Knysna to Swakopmund on the West Coast and Kenya on the East Coast.

The late legendary whale and dolphin researcher, Professor Peter Best, said "the northern migration of humpback whales seems to reach the African coastline in the vicinity of Knysna", which makes Knysna the perfect place to start celebrating the arrival of the magnificent creatures.

As these animals move up the coastline, their arrival in the towns and cities will be celebrated along the way - some with full-blown festivals, others with a presentation. Every year more venues are added to the route and the activities are expanded.

The events are open to the public and the youth are especially encouraged to attend and learn about the animals. Education is the key to the survival of these magnificent creatures, who have clawed their way back from the brink of extinction.

Knysna's awareness and family outing event is set to take place from 10:00 to 12:00 on Saturday 5 June at Brenton-on-Sea. Children's activities will be presented on the beach by SANParks and their Honorary Rangers, while there will be educational table displays and posters on the lawn at Brenton Haven.

Presentations are from10:45 to 11:45, starting with SANParks marine biologist Kyle Smith on the biodiversity and importance of the Knysna Estuary, followed by ''festival'' originator Lloyd Edwards of Raggy Charters on the Southern Hemisphere's humpback whale migration route. One lucky attendee can win a whale watching outing with Ocean Odyssey.

The local awareness programme will end with an evening function hosted by Brenton Haven where a limited number of interested and like-minded locals and visitors will mingle over a glass of wine and canapés to discuss the benefits of environmental awareness and tourism to and for the greater Knysna area.