Press Release
January 8, 2012

Watch Kept For Whales

There is no sign this morning of the 18 long-finned pilot whales released back into the ocean after stranding on Farewell Spit in Golden Bay yesterday.

Over an intense 24-hour period, the whales were successfully refloated on yesterday morning’s high tide. Department of Conservation staff and Project Jonah marine mammal medics monitored the whales for the next 12 hours as they struggled to recover strength and find direction.

“The whales gave us a few nervous hours as we watched them regain stability and then finally head out to sea,” says Kimberly Muncaster, Project Jonah CEO.

“Several times they headed back toward the shore but we shepherded them out toward open ocean with our boats until they finally swam away.”

However, the surviving whales may not be out of danger yet, and Kimberly urges people in the area to be vigilant and look for signs of a possible restranding.

“Basically, if there are any sightings of pilot whales in or around Golden Bay, people should call 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468) or 0800 4 WHALE (0800 494 253) immediately,” she says.

Kimberly praises the efforts of Project Jonah medics in helping to achieve what looks to be a successful outcome so far.

“Our volunteers worked tirelessly, putting their Project Jonah training to good use in support of the Department of Conservation’s stranding response,” she says.

Long-finned pilot whales are small, black whales with a bulbous head. They are regular mass stranders on New Zealand shores, especially in the peak stranding season from November through to March.

“Project Jonah runs year-round marine mammal medic courses to train volunteers to assist the Department of Conservation at these strandings,” Kimberly says.

“To do so we rely on the generosity of the public to contribute supplies and donations, especially during the high stranding months. People can go to our website at www.projectjonah.org.nz if they would like to support us in this way or they are interested in taking one of our marine mammal medic courses.”

For further information please contact Kimberly Muncaster, Project Jonah CEO, on 021 682 142.

Project Jonah has been actively saving stranded whales for more than 25 years. Through dedicated training and education programmes, Project Jonah provides an emergency service for stranded whales and dolphins in New Zealand. It relies solely on volunteers and donations to carry out its work.

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