Cheryl-Samantha Owen

55 false killer whales beached themselves at a beach off Kommetjie, Cape Town early on the morning of the 31st May. I went to photograph, but found myself with one hand holding the camera and the other trying to help the whales. It was a tragic day and there was no happy ending, but it was inspiring to see so many people giving their all - determined to save the lives of these beautiful creatures. Wet, cold and tired - volunteers of all ages worked from morning until late afternoon to stop the whales from drowning and to try and help them swim back out to sea. Lessons need to be learned from this stranding and others across the world to put in place a best practice protocol should this every happen again.