It's whale stranding season again.
#1
It's whale stranding season again.
It's one of the things that puts me off the Farewell Spit area which is only a couple of hours from us.
Every year there are wretched horrible strandings.
The latest sad case is HERE first reported by Project Jonah.
Just wish there was something that could be done to guide the whales away from this area.
Every year there are wretched horrible strandings.
The latest sad case is HERE first reported by Project Jonah.
Just wish there was something that could be done to guide the whales away from this area.
#3
Re: It's whale stranding season again.
That is very sad 39 dead, not a sight I'd want to see.
They are such majestic animals. It sounds like the weather was too bad to try and ward them off beaching themselves.
They are such majestic animals. It sounds like the weather was too bad to try and ward them off beaching themselves.
#4
Re: It's whale stranding season again.
It's a very beautiful & at the same time , deadly place.
A lot of the spit is quite inaccessible without a major foot march & the tides are extreme IMO and experience of tides.
When there are strandings , people walk in and are not taken in by 4WD.
I'd wish for some sort of sonar warning for them in bad weather with extreme tides.
A lot of the spit is quite inaccessible without a major foot march & the tides are extreme IMO and experience of tides.
When there are strandings , people walk in and are not taken in by 4WD.
I'd wish for some sort of sonar warning for them in bad weather with extreme tides.
#6
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 27
Re: It's whale stranding season again.
#7
Re: It's whale stranding season again.
Yes. It happens most every year.
Some have now died. the remaining whales are successfully refloated.
From HERE
PROJECT JONAH needs as much help as it can get to carry on the work.
Some have now died. the remaining whales are successfully refloated.
From HERE
PROJECT JONAH needs as much help as it can get to carry on the work.
#8
Re: It's whale stranding season again.
and some footage
I realise that strandings happen all over the world but NZ has this happen every year. Our shorelines, flora, fauna and wildlife are supposed to be important to us so you would think that every single one of us here in NZ would be effected by this.
.
I realise that strandings happen all over the world but NZ has this happen every year. Our shorelines, flora, fauna and wildlife are supposed to be important to us so you would think that every single one of us here in NZ would be effected by this.
.
Last edited by BEVS; Jan 14th 2014 at 9:14 pm.
#9
Re: It's whale stranding season again.
The refloat has been underway for at least 30 minutes now.
it is successful.
Attachment 115646
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it is successful.
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#10
Re: It's whale stranding season again.
It's a real shame to see these Whales getting stranded so often.
Can anyone confirm if these Whales have been stranded year on year for say centuries and probably before human life was even in NZ, let alone having the wherewithall to actually help the Whales?
Is this just another part of nature taking its course? Or are the Whales being stranded because they're drawn closer to the shore as a result of us humans buggering about with ecosystems and other nature related things?
Can anyone confirm if these Whales have been stranded year on year for say centuries and probably before human life was even in NZ, let alone having the wherewithall to actually help the Whales?
Is this just another part of nature taking its course? Or are the Whales being stranded because they're drawn closer to the shore as a result of us humans buggering about with ecosystems and other nature related things?
Last edited by TommyLuck; Jan 15th 2014 at 12:42 am.
#11
Re: It's whale stranding season again.
Farewell Spit has long been known as a difficult place for whales where they become disorientated and strand. Even before sonic pollution or HAB toxins.
It has been extremely windy hereabouts with king tides to boot. The SPit area is a known 'whale trap'. Like the accident blackspot on a highway.
Anyway. If people can help the whales whether it be to re-float or to ease suffering , then that should be done.
Perhaps have a good read to understand what and how whales and dolphins strand.
It has been extremely windy hereabouts with king tides to boot. The SPit area is a known 'whale trap'. Like the accident blackspot on a highway.
Originally Posted by SR29 Analysis of Whale Stranding NZ by M Brabyn 1991
In Golden Bay, a site of 17 pilot whale herd strandings, strandings coincide with the time of the year (November-March) when there is a wind-induced current into the head of the bay (Heath 1985). At Cape Verde, Senegal, strandings alsooccur when there is a windinduced current (May/June) (Maigret 1979, cited in Sergeant 1982). The relationship
between wind-induced currents and time of stranding could be coincidental with whale migration past these areas, although both factors may be important. Further research on the migration of pilot whales around New Zealand and Senegal could confirm this hypothesis.
These preliminary results suggest some relationship between strandings and weather
conditions. Further analysis would be valuable
between wind-induced currents and time of stranding could be coincidental with whale migration past these areas, although both factors may be important. Further research on the migration of pilot whales around New Zealand and Senegal could confirm this hypothesis.
These preliminary results suggest some relationship between strandings and weather
conditions. Further analysis would be valuable
Anyway. If people can help the whales whether it be to re-float or to ease suffering , then that should be done.
WHALE STRANDING UPDATE - Farewell Spit - 2pm
The eight pilot whales are now free swimming and being monitored by the Department of Conservation from their boat. Volunteers are now returning to the beach and will keep a look out for a potential restrand but fingers and are toes crossed!
The eight pilot whales are now free swimming and being monitored by the Department of Conservation from their boat. Volunteers are now returning to the beach and will keep a look out for a potential restrand but fingers and are toes crossed!
#12
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2003
Location: North Shore, Auckland
Posts: 688
Re: It's whale stranding season again.
I hear another pod is stranded, dunno if anyone is in the area to go and help?