The Department of Conservation reported the death of 43 pilot whales following a mass stranding on the Ngawi coast at the south-eastern tip of New Zealand’s North Island. Rescuers, including conservation staff, Maori iwi, and volunteers, arrived after the Department of Conservation received reports of the whales just after 8am on Thursday. I find the total failure of the rescue mission heartbreaking. Rescuers, including conservation staff, Maori iwi, and volunteers, attempted to save the animals after they were first spotted trapped among the rocks, but the remote location, the powerful surf, the sharp rocks, and the difficult terrain made success impossible. Project Jonah reported in a Facebook post on Friday that 40 to 50 whales stranded along several kilometres of coastline. Many whales died before rescuers found them, and the animals that rescuers found alive died throughout the day. I see the situation as a complete tragedy because these pilot whales, which are members of the dolphin family, can grow up to seven metres in length and weigh as much as 3 tonnes.
Burial plans and species data
Ariana Hawira, acting operations manager for DOC Wairarapa, said "none of these whales are believed to have survived." The Department of Conservation is working with iwi to manage the burial of the whales, which Maori consider a "taonga" or sacred treasure. Pilot whales are prolific stranders, although the behavior is not well understood. While stranding on this part of the coastline is uncommon, Hawira said there is no indication that strandings are becoming more frequent or severe. I observe that New Zealand has recorded more than 5,000 strandings of whales and dolphins since 1840. I find it grim that despite the efforts of volunteers and conservation workers, these large animals were unable to be saved from the rocky shore. I also note that while these animals can grow to seven metres long and weigh 3 tonnes, they remain vulnerable when they beach themselves in such a remote area. Because the whales were found trapped among rocks, the rescue was doomed from the start. I find it difficult to accept that such a large group of animals could be lost so quickly despite the local response. I view the loss of these 43 animals as a heavy toll for the Ngawi coast.
