7 January 2012
18 long-finned pilot whales were successfully refloated this morning in Golden Bay. The whales were returned to the water at high tide thanks to the dedicated and collaborative efforts of Project Jonah Marine Mammal Medics, Department of Conservation staff and members of the public.
Project Jonah CEO, Kimberly Muncaster, says having the whales back in their natural environment is a huge relief. They presently appear disoriented, but that is not unusual when whales have been on dry land for some time. It is hoped they will gather strength and stability very soon and make their way back out to the open ocean.
More than 40 Project Jonah Marine Mammal Medics answered last night’s call to assist the Department of Conservation in the rescue effort, some coming from as far away as Auckland and Christchurch.
Project Jonah would like to thank all those who responded for their commitment to marine mammal welfare and their ongoing preparedness to attend stranding events at short notice.
The group of 25 whales stranded at 2.00pm yesterday at Triangle Flat. They were part of a pod of about 70 seen close to the beach earlier in the day and volunteers and Department of Conservation staff worked through the night to keep as many alive as possible until high tide this morning. Sadly, seven didn’t make it.
The ones that have been refloated are not out of the woods yet, either. In their disoriented state they can easily restrand, so Project Jonah medics in the area and locals are asked remain on high alert for the next few days and keep informed through the Project Jonah website and Facebook page.
Locals can also help by checking their beaches and bays regularly over the next week. Both the refloated whales and the remaining members of their pod may still be in the area and at risk of stranding. Any beached whales should be reported to the Department of Conservation as soon as possible to give them the best chance of survival.
