Wildlife – Evening Report https://eveningreport.nz Independent Analysis and Reportage Fri, 10 Feb 2017 04:24:53 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.1 100 whales refloated in NZ rescue bid, but many stranded again https://eveningreport.nz/2017/02/10/100-whales-refloated-in-nz-rescue-bid-but-many-stranded-again/ Fri, 10 Feb 2017 04:24:53 +0000 http://eveningreport.nz/2017/02/10/100-whales-refloated-in-nz-rescue-bid-but-many-stranded-again/ ]]> AsiaPacificReport.nz
Volunteers helping the stranded pilot whales at Farewell Spit, Golden Bay, today. Image: Project Jonah

Many of the more than 100 whales refloated off the South Island’s Farewell Spit today at high tide have become stranded again, reports Radio New Zealand.

More than 400 pilot whales were caught at the base of the spit in Golden Bay with most of them dying, but more than 100 were refloated by hundreds of volunteers and Department of Conservation (DoC) workers on high tide at 10.30am, said RNZI.

Many of the 400 pilot whales stranded at Farewell Spit early today. Image: Project Jonah

A boat on the water and a line of people in the sea had been trying to encourage the whales to swim in the right direction.

About 50 whales were successfully refloated, but 80-90 have re-stranded on the beach, reports RNZI.

Andrew Lamason, the Department of Conservation operations manager for Golden Bay, said volunteers would now try to keep the whales comfortable until another attempt at a refloat tomorrow.

DoC said it was the biggest whale stranding department staff had ever seen and eight staff who had been there since the early hours of this morning had been putting sheets and buckets of water on the whales.

“Awesome to see so much kindness, love and respect given to the whales. It makes those of us who are unable to help so proud, thank you so much,” said Ngaire Manu among messages of support for the rescuers on the Project Jonah website.

High stranding rates
Project Jonah reports New Zealand has one of the highest whale stranding rates in the world.

“On average, about 300 dolphins and whales strand each year. Most stranding are of individual animals, but mass strandings are common and can involve hundreds of animals at a time,” the project said.

“Strandings are complex events and there are many reasons why dolphins and whales may strand. In most cases the exact cause is unknown.”

Some factors include:

  • Old whales may find it difficult to keep up with their pod or resist heavy swells or inshore currents.
  • Whales can suffer from a number of diseases – either a temporary affliction or something more severe.
  • Natural toxins can poison whales.
  • A shortage of food caused by overfishing can result in malnourished whales.
  • Calving whales will often seek out sheltered bays to give birth to their young.
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]]> National bird of Samoa threatened with extinction https://eveningreport.nz/2016/10/05/national-bird-of-samoa-threatened-with-extinction/ https://eveningreport.nz/2016/10/05/national-bird-of-samoa-threatened-with-extinction/#respond Wed, 05 Oct 2016 00:21:25 +0000 https://eveningreport.nz/2016/10/05/national-bird-of-samoa-threatened-with-extinction/ ]]> AsiaPacificReport.nz

Scientists in Samoa have issued a dire warning about the fate of the national bird, which features on the country’s bank notes and coins.

Acccording to ABC News the manumea has been on the brink of extinction for several years.

Conservationist Gianluca Serra is leading a team employed by the Samoan government to stop the bird from disappearing.

He told Mandie Sami of ABC News the situation was desperate.

“There are probably only a few dozens birds left in Samoa,” he said.

Serra said the manumea is a species of pigeon and is special because it is only found in Samoa and is the last surviving relative of the extinct dodo bird.

He said hunting was a major issue.

“We realize that they are being hunted by mistake because apparently people don’t like the manumea’s meat but they kill the manumea while they are targeting another pigeon they like.”

Serra added forest logging and invasive species like rats and cats also put the survival of the bird in danger.

‘Pretty depressing’

“You know our job as conservationists is pretty depressing,” he said. “Every year the planet is losing hundreds if not thousands of species.

“There is not enough awareness and interest by governments and people.

“Public opinion is so interested about cats and dogs but they don’t know that there is wildlife out there and they need help, so it’s really hard.  There’s no money there, only few people are interested in it.”

Serra and his team are working with local villages to establish protected areas and controls around hunting.

Listen to the full interview on ABC News.

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