Happy ending for stranded pygmy sperm whale

Date: 27 May 2008

A juvenile pygmy sperm whale washed ashore on Ninety Mile beach on Sunday was successfully re-floated thanks to the prompt actions of its rescuers.

A fisherman came across the young pygmy sperm whale near Waipapakauri around 1pm yesterday and quickly contacted the Department of Conservation. While awaiting DOC staff to arrive he attempted to re-float the whale.

Rescuers keep the stranded whale wet

Te Rarawa whale stranding team member Patau Tepania, who had been called in by Te Runanga O Te Rarawa after being advised of the stranding by DOC, arrived on the scene to find the whale had re-stranded. Mr Tepania, with assistance from his whanau, held the whale upright in the tide to prevent it being drowned and help it orientate itself.

DOC staff arrived and, after assessing the sea conditions, decided against trying to re-float the whale at Ngapai (Lone Pine). DOC whale stranding manager Patrick Whaley said the sea was too rough and so it was decided to transport the whale to Te Kohanga (Shipwreck Bay) where the swell was much smaller.

"Pygmy sperm whales are 1.2 metres when born. This whale was between 1.5 to 1.7 metres, so was definitely a juvenile. With a two metre swell, the surf would have been too much for such a tiny whale" said Mr Whaley.

During its transportation to Te Kohanga on the back of a DOC ute the young whale was serenaded by Tui Te Paa with waiata (song). Te Runanga O Te Rarawa liaison officer, Rongo Bentson, said that this was later attributed to giving the young whale the strength to survive.

"Ngati Porou has a whale rider, Te Rarawa now has a whale singer", said Mr Bentson.

The whale was then placed in a rescue pontoon and held in the water for approximately 40 minutes.

"This gives the whale time to orientate itself and fully revive. This is critical in successfully re-floating a whale as if not enough time is spent supporting it in the water prior to letting it go, it will most likely re-strand itself again" said Mr Whaley.

With the whale considerably recovered, Te Rarawa and DOC staff decided to remove it from the pontoon and hold it in the water before releasing it. However, the whale had other ideas.

"As soon as we took it from the pontoon, it shot away. Our hearts dropped as we watched it head back to shore. However, once the water became shallower, it turned and headed back out to sea," said Mr Whaley.

"The last sighting we had of the animal was watching the rapid scattering of sprats and other fish attempting to flee the young whale as it cut a path through the ocean".

DOC Kaitaia Area Manager, Jonathan Maxwell endorsed the cooperative handling of the stranding by Te Rarawa and DOC.

The Rescue Team, from left Willie
Macrae (DOC), Te Aroha Te Paa holding
Te Rehua, Teds Waipouri, Maureen Te
Paa, Patrick Whaley (DOC), Jono
Maxwell (DOC Area Manager), Patau
Tepania, Tui Te Paa and Keriana Te Paa

"It was refreshingly simple with a great result. On the day, on the beach, the cooperation and handling of the stranding was excellent," said Mr Maxwell.

Te Rarawa is currently developing a response unit for dealing with whale strandings. The concept is to work in with DOC to ensure cultural practises are incorporated into DOC's own requirements in the management of whale strandings, as well as establishing networks of local willing helpers.

"It's working really well, which is reflected in the fact that DOC now calls us as soon as they are advised of a stranding in our rohe," said Mr Benson.

Currently the whale stranding team consists of Patau Tepania, Paul LeNoel, Reuben Porter, Kaumatua Tom Kahiti Murray and whoever of their whanau they can pull in at the time.
Te Rarawa would like to expand on the numbers and get more people involved.

"Whale strandings can happen at any time. On Sunday, three of our team were unavailable. Luckily Patau was able to rope in his whanau to help so having others we can call on is very important," Mr Benson said.

Anyone who is interested in becoming part of Te Rarawa's whale stranding team should contact Rongo Bentson at Te Runanga O Te Rarawa phone +64 9 408 0141 ext 745 or 0274 483 261.

Te Runanga O Te Rarawa acknowledged the positive response by Patau Tepania, Maureen Te Paa and their whanau, also Teds Waipouri from Pawarenga who happened to be in the right place at the right time.

"The acknowledgement also goes to the other members who participated in the earlier whale strandings who have all shown what kaitiakitanga is all about", said Mr Benson.

This is the second response to a whale stranding in the past month for DOC and Te Rarawa. Three weeks ago a dwarf sperm whale stranded at Ahipara. Unfortunately, attempts to re-float it were unsuccessful.

DOC advises that anyone finding a stranded or injured marine mammal should contact DOC immediately on 0800DOCHOT- 0800 362 468, as the quicker a response can happen, the greater the chances of survival for the animal.

Ends

Additional information

• Pygmy sperm whales grow to about 3.4m in length.
• They are dark grey on top and whitish-grey with a touch of pink on the underbelly.
• Little is known about their biology, but examination of stranded animals has shown that they feed on squid, shrimps, crabs and fish.
• Single standings are the most common for pygmy sperm whales although occasionally a mother and calf will strand.

For more information contact Carolyn Smith Programme Manager Kaitaia Area Office +64 9 408 6190 or 0274 829 036

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