UP Mammal Research Institute Whale Unit

UP Mammal Research Institute Whale Unit Established in 1985, the MRI Whale Unit at the University of Pretoria is a research and conservation

Adopt a whale. Protect an ocean. ๐Ÿ‹๐ŸŒŠSupport world-class research happening right here in Hermanus and help safeguard our ...
05/06/2026

Adopt a whale. Protect an ocean. ๐Ÿ‹๐ŸŒŠ
Support world-class research happening right here in Hermanus and help safeguard our planet for future generations.
๐Ÿ’™ Join the pod today.

Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria Mammal Research Institute Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria University of Pretoria

UPโ€™s MRI Whale Unit is conducting award-winning whale research from Hermanus while empowering future African scientists. Support the teamโ€™s work by adopting a whale today.

Always such a pleasure to talk whales at the Marine Evening of Marine Dynamics Whale Tours and Dyer Island Conservation ...
28/05/2026

Always such a pleasure to talk whales at the Marine Evening of Marine Dynamics Whale Tours and Dyer Island Conservation Trust. We value their collaboration tremendously and love working together in support of marine conservation, research, and education. ๐Ÿ‹๐ŸŒŠ

Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria University of Pretoria Mammal Research Institute

๐Ÿ‹ The Whale Unit is currently attending the Scientific Committee meeting of the International Whaling Commission (), whe...
07/05/2026

๐Ÿ‹ The Whale Unit is currently attending the Scientific Committee meeting of the International Whaling Commission (), where scientists from around the world come together to discuss the science and conservation of whale and dolphin species. ๐ŸŒ

We are proud to be part of a strong South African team, working closely with our colleagues from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE).

Through collaboration and science, we continue working towards a better future for whales and dolphins worldwide. ๐Ÿฌ

Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria Mammal Research Institute University of Pretoria

๐ŸŒŠ๐Ÿ‹ Adopt Maggie - a true pioneer of whale science ๐Ÿ‹๐ŸŒŠNamed after the beloved wife of Prof Peter Best, Maggie was the firs...
22/04/2026

๐ŸŒŠ๐Ÿ‹ Adopt Maggie - a true pioneer of whale science ๐Ÿ‹๐ŸŒŠ

Named after the beloved wife of Prof Peter Best, Maggie was the first female southern right whale ever identified in South Africa, first recorded in 1979 - and nearly 50 years later, she is still helping us understand these incredible animals.

She has raised at least 10 calves, passing on her unique genetics and building a legacy that spans generations. ๐Ÿ’™

โœจ Now you can be part of her story.

When you adopt Maggie, youโ€™ll receive a personalised adoption certificate, updates on her and our research, access to our WhatsApp community for real-time field insights, and a tax certificate โ€” all while directly supporting the science that protects her and future generations.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Adopt Maggie today and support ongoing research!

Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria
Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria
University of Pretoria
Mammal Research Institute

By adopting a whale, you directly contribute to the work of theย MRI Whale Unit, enabling dedicated fieldwork, strengthening local scientific capacity, and supporting the applied research that directly informs national and international conservation policy and management decisions.

๐ŸŒŠ๐Ÿ‹ Meet Blanca โ€” one of the rarest whales in our ocean ๐Ÿ‹๐ŸŒŠBlanca isnโ€™t just any whale. She is one of the very few brindle...
15/04/2026

๐ŸŒŠ๐Ÿ‹ Meet Blanca โ€” one of the rarest whales in our ocean ๐Ÿ‹๐ŸŒŠ

Blanca isnโ€™t just any whale. She is one of the very few brindle females in South Africaโ€™s southern right whale population โ€” a striking and exceptionally rare colour pattern mostly seen in males.

First seen in 1984, Blanca has been returning to our coast for over 40 years. In that time, she has raised at least nine calves, and today she is not just a mother โ€” but a grandmother, her lineage continuing in our waters. ๐Ÿ’™

Her story is one of resilience. Like all mothers, she has faced challenges, yet she continues to return, continuing a legacy that helps us understand how whales survive and adapt in a changing ocean.

โœจ By adopting Blanca, you will learn more about her history and become part of her story.
๐Ÿ‘‰ Be part of something bigger and adopt Blanca today!
https://www.mammalresearchinstitute.science/adopt-a-whale

Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria Mammal Research Institute University of Pretoria

๐ŸŒŠ๐Ÿ‹ ADOPT A WHALE - Support Science - Make a Difference. ๐Ÿ‹๐ŸŒŠWeโ€™re excited to launch the Whale Unitโ€™s official Adopt-a-Whal...
09/04/2026

๐ŸŒŠ๐Ÿ‹ ADOPT A WHALE - Support Science - Make a Difference. ๐Ÿ‹๐ŸŒŠ

Weโ€™re excited to launch the Whale Unitโ€™s official Adopt-a-Whale programme!

When you adopt a whale, youโ€™ll receive regular updates on our research and your named whale, gain access to our WhatsApp communityโ€”where youโ€™ll get real-time updates from the field, behind-the-scenes insights, and a direct connection to our research team and fellow supportersโ€”and receive a tax certificate, all while directly supporting the science that protects these magnificent animals. ๐Ÿ‹

Your support contributes to:
๐Ÿ”ฌ Long-term monitoring of whale populations
๐Ÿš Crucial fieldwork at sea and from the air
๐Ÿงช Laboratory analyses to understand whale health
๐ŸŽ“ Training and supporting the next generation of scientists

Every adoption helps us build the knowledge needed to protect these incredible animals in a rapidly changing ocean.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Adopt your whale today and be part of the story!

Together, we can ensure these giants continue to thrive in our oceans. ๐ŸŒ

Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria Mammal Research Institute University of Pretoria

By adopting a whale, you directly contribute to the work of theย MRI Whale Unit, enabling dedicated fieldwork, strengthening local scientific capacity, and supporting the applied research that directly informs national and international conservation policy and management decisions.

Proud to share that our Chief Scientist, Dr Els Vermeulen, is participating in the COP15 of the Convention on Migratory ...
25/03/2026

Proud to share that our Chief Scientist, Dr Els Vermeulen, is participating in the COP15 of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), as part of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) delegation in Campo Grande ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‹

This yearโ€™s theme โ€” โ€œConnecting Nature to Sustain Lifeโ€ โ€” highlights something we see every day in our work: the extraordinary migrations of whales and the critical importance of ecological connectivity ๐ŸŒŠ

Together with the CMS, the IWC is strengthening global collaboration on key threats facing whales, including:
๐Ÿ”น Bycatch & entanglement
๐Ÿ”น Vessel strikes ๐Ÿšข
๐Ÿ”น Ocean noise & marine debris ๐Ÿ”Š
๐Ÿ”น Sustainable whale watching ๐Ÿณ

Strong science-policy partnerships like these are essential to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. Weโ€™re proud to contribute to this global effort ๐Ÿ’™

Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria University of Pretoria

๐Ÿ‹ Why are southern right whales being seen now?Weโ€™ve had several sightings of southern right whales along the West Coast...
18/03/2026

๐Ÿ‹ Why are southern right whales being seen now?

Weโ€™ve had several sightings of southern right whales along the West Coast and False Bay recently, and it can be surprising this time of year!

The West Coast is a known low-latitude feeding ground, thanks to the productive Benguela system, so whales can be here outside of winter (when we usually see them calving along the South Coast). ๐ŸŒŠ

With a gestation period of ~16 months, this time of year also overlaps with their period of conception, so social and mating behaviour is not unusual ๐Ÿ’™

Keep those sightings coming! ๐Ÿ™Œ

Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria Mammal Research Institute Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria University of Pretoria

๐Ÿ›ฐ๏ธ๐Ÿ‹ Colibriโ€™s track is back online!After a period of silence, the track of Colibri is now back online โ€” revealing 108 da...
05/03/2026

๐Ÿ›ฐ๏ธ๐Ÿ‹ Colibriโ€™s track is back online!

After a period of silence, the track of Colibri is now back online โ€” revealing 108 days of movement since 17 November!

The data show that this whale has remained along South Africaโ€™s West Coast, feeding in the incredibly productive Benguela upwelling system. ๐ŸŒŠ๐Ÿฆ

The Benguelaโ€™s cold, nutrient-rich waters support abundant prey, making it one of the most important feeding areas for baleen whales in the region.

Weโ€™re excited to see the track again and to continue following Colibriโ€™s journey! โœจ๐Ÿ‹
Whale Expedition SA SAPRI - The South African Polar Research Infrastructure

Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria University of Pretoria Mammal Research Institute

The Whale Unit is proud to have contributed to this milestone - now over 15,000 individually identified humpback whales ...
27/02/2026

The Whale Unit is proud to have contributed to this milestone - now over 15,000 individually identified humpback whales across African and SW Indian Ocean breeding grounds. ๐Ÿ‹๐Ÿฅณ๐Ÿ‹๐Ÿฅณ

Highly migratory whales donโ€™t recognize borders โ€” and neither can our science. ๐Ÿค Linking regional catalogues is essential to understand connectivity, recovery, and population trends.

Congratulations to all partners involved in this powerful collective achievement! IndoCet Consortium

Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria Mammal Research Institute Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of PretoriaUniversity of Pretoria

Address

11 Astoria Village
Hermanus
7200

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00
Thursday 09:00 - 17:00
Friday 08:00 - 17:00

Telephone

+27609714301

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