Campaigners force Shell to halt oil exploration on South African coast

Court instructs company to stop tests along Wild Coast after concerns raised about wildlife and lack of consultation

Shell will be forced to halt oil exploration in vital whale breeding grounds along South Africa's eastern coastline after a local court blocked the controversial project.

The court order calls for an immediate halt to Shell's seismic tests which involve blasting sound waves through the relatively untouched Wild Coast marine environment, which is home to whales, dolphins and seals.