Whale stranding… what to do, what not to do

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)  

LearnFromNature

 

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