PREVIEW

Pygmy Blue Whale Rescued Off New Zealand's North Island. A juvenile pygmy blue whale was successfully rescued on 16 September 2024 after becoming trapped beneath a private wharf near Kawau Island, off New Zealand's North Island. Local residents spotted the whale in distress and swiftly alerted authorities, prompting a coordinated rescue effort led by New Zealand's Department of Conservation (DOC). Despite being a juvenile and pygmy subspecies, the whale measured an impressive 14 to 15 metres in length (approximately 45 to 50 feet), according to DOC officials. “This was a highly unusual situation, and we worked carefully to free the whale while ensuring the safety of everyone involved,” said the DOC in a statement. The rescue operation received vital assistance from the Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust, representing the local Ngāti Manuhiri iwi of Kawau Island. The Trust's chair, Mook Hohneck, highlighted the cultural significance of whales to the Māori community and stressed the importance of swift action. “Tohorā (whales) are a taonga (treasured) species, and in these emergency situations, it is important we act both quickly and in accordance with tikanga (customs) to ensure their safe release,” said Hohneck. The rescue required part of the Schoolhouse Bay Wharf to be dismantled, with several piles removed using an excavator to free the whale from its position. The DOC noted that the whale remained calm throughout the process, and no further distress was observed as it swam into deeper waters. Monitoring will continue to ensure the whale's wellbeing, and the public has been urged to report any sightings of the whale to DOC. Local residents and visitors are encouraged to report any sightings of the whale to the DOC hotline.