Pilot whale destined for museum display

Press, 26 July 1989, Page 3

Pilot whale destined for museum display

By

NEIL CLARKSON

A long-finned pilot whale, which died after being stranded near Akaroa yesterday morning, is destined for a display at the Canterbury Museum. The 1.85 m female, about a year old, will be taken to a Godley Head offal pit today and stripped of its flesh. The skeleton will then be given to museum staff. The whale was found stranded at Children’s Bay about 10 a.m. by a resident, Mr Bob Masefield.

A Christchurch conservation officer in the costal marine field, Mr

Peter Russell, said the whale had been seen swimming in the shallow water of the bay with a companion at high tide. It became stranded as the tide dropped and was tossed about against rocks, dying a short time later. Mr Russell said the shallow and muddy bottom of the bay probably played havoc with the whale’s sonar.

“It is possible the whale got disoriented in the southerly storm weather over the last week and entered Akaroa Harbour seeking shelter.”

It was also possible i the animal had parasites

which caused disorientation. Pilot whales are common stranders round New Zealand’s coast, with more than 2000 recorded. A short-finned variety of the pilot whale was identified in 1977. The long-finned specimen will form part of a display of marine mammals. Mr Russell said anyone seeing stranded or dead whales and dolphins should call their nearest Conservation Department office. A stranded whale hotline can be used toll-free through Wellington on 712-229.