Source: Department of Conservation
Date: 24 November 2024
DOC staff and Project Jonah are on site, and there is some concern that the pilot whales will re-strand themselves. DOC staff and Project Jonah are monitoring the situation and staying vigilant for further possible strandings.
Ranger Supervisor Kallen Mehrtens is onsite at the beach, and has asked that people stay home. “We have plenty of help, it is best if people stay away to ease the congestion at the beach, and if people aren’t directly involved with helping the whales, we ask you please go home.”
Up to 40 pilot whales were stranded on Ruakaka Beach, but most of them have refloated and swum out to sea
Background information
New Zealand has one of the world’s highest rates of whale strandings and is recognised as a world leader in successful whale rescues. Much of this success is thanks to DOC and Project Jonah working together, as well as the important support of iwi, local communities and other marine mammal rescue groups and volunteers.
DOC is responsible for managing rescues of stranded whales and dolphins but makes decisions on the direction of the rescue response in consultation with manawhenua iwi, Project Jonah and other marine mammal rescue groups when they are involved.
DOC appreciates the assistance and support of Project Jonah in working with DOC staff to rescue stranded whales and dolphins. Project Jonah marine mammal medics can play a key role in rescues of stranded marine mammals. Those with considerable experience, in particular, can valuably assist DOC staff in the response and management of whale strandings.
Project Jonah’s ability to mobilise large numbers of its marine mammal medics for mass whale and dolphin stranding rescues greatly assists DOC with managing such events.
DOC encourages people wanting to be involved in rescues of stranded marine mammals to attend a Project Jonah Marine Mammal Medic course. Medics who complete this course will be well equipped in rescuing stranded whales and dolphins and can act as a role model to untrained rescuers. Knowing the rescue process, including health and safety risks, enables the process to run more safely and smoothly.
DOC also appreciates other logistical assistance Project Jonah medics can provide at stranding events, including taking on tasks such as providing safety briefings to volunteers or managing traffic and car parking.
Marine mammal strandings in New Zealand
Whales and dolphin strandings have been occurring for millennia and are a natural phenomenon.
New Zealand is a hotspot for marine mammal strandings with most involving just one or two animals.
DOC responds to an average 85 marine mammal stranding incidents a year, mostly of single animals.
The marine mammals that most commonly strand are dolphins, pygmy sperm whales and beaked whales. Most mass strandings are of long-finned pilot whales. Large whales such as sperm whales also occasionally strand.
Mass strandings can involve a few to hundreds of animals.
Contact
For media enquiries contact:
Email: media@doc.govt.nz
