UP Mammal Research Institute Whale Unit

05/06/2026

Adopt a whale. Protect an ocean. 🐋🌊
Support world-class research happening right here in Hermanus and help safeguard our planet for future generations.
💙 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

UP’s MRI Whale Unit is conducting award-winning whale research from Hermanus while empowering future African scientists. Support the team’s work by adopting a whale today.

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. 🐋🌊

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

07/05/2026

🐋 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. 🌍

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. 🐬

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

22/04/2026

🌊🐋 Adopt Maggie - a true pioneer of whale science 🐋🌊

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. 💙

✨ Now you can be part of her story.

When you adopt Maggie, you’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 — all while directly supporting the science that protects her and future generations.

👉 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 the 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.

15/04/2026

🌊🐋 Meet Blanca — one of the rarest whales in our ocean 🐋🌊

Blanca isn’t just any whale. She is one of the very few brindle females in South Africa’s southern right whale population — 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 — but a grandmother, her lineage continuing in our waters. 💙

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.

✨ By adopting Blanca, you will learn more about her history and become part of her story.
👉 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

09/04/2026

🌊🐋 ADOPT A WHALE - Support Science - Make a Difference. 🐋🌊

We’re excited to launch the Whale Unit’s official Adopt-a-Whale programme!

When you adopt a whale, you’ll receive regular updates on our research and your named whale, gain access to our WhatsApp community—where you’ll get real-time updates from the field, behind-the-scenes insights, and a direct connection to our research team and fellow supporters—and receive a tax certificate, all while directly supporting the science that protects these magnificent animals. 🐋

Your support contributes to:
🔬 Long-term monitoring of whale populations
🚁 Crucial fieldwork at sea and from the air
🧪 Laboratory analyses to understand whale health
🎓 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.

👉 Adopt your whale today and be part of the story!

Together, we can ensure these giants continue to thrive in our oceans. 🌍

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 the 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.

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 🇧🇷🐋

This year’s theme — “Connecting Nature to Sustain Life” — highlights something we see every day in our work: the extraordinary migrations of whales and the critical importance of ecological connectivity 🌊

Together with the CMS, the IWC is strengthening global collaboration on key threats facing whales, including:
🔹 Bycatch & entanglement
🔹 Vessel strikes 🚢
🔹 Ocean noise & marine debris 🔊
🔹 Sustainable whale watching 🐳

Strong science-policy partnerships like these are essential to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. We’re proud to contribute to this global effort 💙

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

18/03/2026

🐋 Why are southern right whales being seen now?

We’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). 🌊

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 💙

Keep those sightings coming! 🙌

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

05/03/2026

🛰️🐋 Colibri’s track is back online!

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

The data show that this whale has remained along South Africa’s West Coast, feeding in the incredibly productive Benguela upwelling system. 🌊🦐

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

We’re excited to see the track again and to continue following Colibri’s journey! ✨🐋
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

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. 🐋🥳🐋🥳

Highly migratory whales don’t recognize borders — and neither can our science. 🤝 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