Whale’s Fight With Swordfish
A fierce encounter between a whale and two large swordfish was seen by a fishing party at Penguin Shoal, halfway between. Mayor Island and Motiti. Before the fight started the two swordfish were seen repeatedly leaping from the water. They then attacked the whale, making thrusts at it in turn. After each thrust the whale made a tremendous plunge and then dived. The launch party was three-quarters of a mile from the scene of the conflict, but the noise of the whale’s
threshing could be heard distinctly. The party could have approached much closer, but deemed it unwise to do so, in case the whale charged. Another whale was swimming a little ahead of the one which was attacked, but it took no part in the conflict. At one stage the second whale approached within two chains of the launch. The ■ fight lasted from noon until about 4 o’clock, when the two swordfish, apparently unable to obtain a kill, withdrew.
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Bibliographic details
Southland Times, Issue 23988, 1 December 1939, Page 3
Word Count
164Whale’s Fight With Swordfish Southland Times, Issue 23988, 1 December 1939, Page 3
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