Various reports of a whale stuck in a rock pool and in close to shore came through to Whale Rescue during a one-week time period. Multiple attempts were made to locate it, with charter boats, tour boats and dedicated research vessels all out looking. However the whale was never sighted. By the 7th of November we had begun to receive reports of a dead whale near Whangamumu Harbour, but out to sea. No exact location was given, so we could not locate it. We strongly suspect that this carcass, found by Jochen Zaeschmar, just to the south of the Bay of Islands, was the whale. It was already in a well-decomposed state when he found it. One complete pectoral fin was sent to Prof. Ewan Fordyce (University of Otago) for anaylsis (including x-rays) and comparison to fossil whales.
| Name | Bryde’s whale |
|---|---|
| Image |
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| Suborder | Mysticeti |
| Family | Balaenopteridae |
| Max. size - Male | 15 m (49 ft) |
| Max. size - Female | 16.5 m (54 ft) |
| Calf size | 4 m (13 ft) |
| Max. weight - Female | 40,000 kg |
| Food | primary food is schooling fish, but may also take krill, squid and crustaceans |
| Latin name | Balaenoptera brydei |
| Location | Ti Wi Bay, Northland |
|---|---|
| Latitude | -35.19519 |
| Longitude | 174.32106 |
| Number of Whales | 1 |
Ingrid has attended numerous mass and individual strandings. She is experienced in sampling and data collection at these events, and in the use of refloatation Rescue Pontoons and other rescue equipment. She has served on the Board and was a trainer for another stranding rescue group.
Floppy has attended multiple mass and individual strandings. She is experienced in the use of refloatation Rescue Pontoons and other rescue equipment. Floppy has served on the Board of another stranding rescue group where she was also a trainer and area coordinator.
Whale Rescue is a volunteer organisation, run by volunteers. There are lots of different ways that you can help us to continue rescuing whales and dolphins.