Whale-stranding campaign begins

Press, 3 December 1987, Page 24

Whale-stranding campaign begins

PA Wellington A Hftlp-Save-Stranded-Whales campaign has been launched by the Minister of Conservation, Ms Clark. Her department has set up a 24-hour Operation Whale Hotline which people can call to report whale strandings. Ten thousand posters explaining first-aid techniques for stranded whales have also been printed for distribution to schools, science advisers, underwater clubs, lifesaving associations, and district offices. Launching the campaign at a Wellington school, Ms Clark said New Zealand’s coastline had one of the highest rates of whale strandings in the world. Since the formation of the Department of Conservation on April 1, 93 individual whales and dolphins had been recorded as being stranded in 33 incidents.

“If people find whales stranded on a beach there are many things they can do to improve the chances of a successful rescue,” she said. “Alerting the Operation Whale Hotline so that trained staff can help assist the rescue is a start.” Stranded whales suffered greatly from heat stress out of the water. “Keeping them cool by covering their bodies, but not their blowholes, with wet sheets or sacking, pouring water on them, digging a trench around each whale to keep the flippers and tail flukes wet are important,” she said. “Whales have a thick layer of blubber which means they overheat quickly. Trying to shade them is a good idea. “Mothers and calves should not be separated. As whales have sensitive hearing, loud noises should be avoided.”