WILDLIFE hit the front page of THE PRESS today – sadly, it was because a sperm whale stranded over the weekend at South New Brighton beach, Christchurch.
A sperm whale has died after becoming stranded at a Christchurch beach overnight, according to environmental organisation Project Jonah. The whale was reported stranded just after 5pm on Saturday on South New Brighton Beach, with a volunteer medic onsite within six minutes.
Do’s & Don’ts at a stranding
Do
- Keep the animal cool by pouring water gently over its body, focusing on the fins and tail flukes
- Cover the animal with towels or sheets (even seaweed) – keep these wet
- Move any animals lying on their sides into an upright position. Dig a shallow impression alongside the animal and roll them gently upright into the indentation
- Dig trenches under the flippers to relieve cramping
- Keep the stranding site as quiet as possible
- Keep noisy children and barking dogs away
Don’t
- Cover or pour water down the blowhole
- Cover the animal’s eyes
- Step on, near or over the tail
- Stand directly in front of the animal’s head
- Pull the animal by its tail
- Use the fins as levers
- Shout or make loud noises
- Drag or roll the animal to water
For key information – Project Jonah and Department of Conservation NZ (DOC)
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