PREVIEW

A juvenile pygmy blue whale was successfully rescued on Monday (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. After some initial disorientation while attempting to navigate the bay’s many structures, the whale was successfully guided back to open waters, thanks to the efforts of DOC staff and local contractors.

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.

Kat Lane, DOC Operations Manager, praised the collaborative effort that made the rescue possible.

“This was a huge collaborative effort, and we couldn’t have done it without the help of the many people on the ground. From Ngāti Manuhiri, Stanaway Marine, STF contractors, and local residents, everyone played their part in this complex operation,” she said.

The DOC has also expressed its gratitude to the owners of the wharf, Bob Nelson and Ross Tebbs, for their cooperation in the rescue efforts, and assured that repairs to the wharf will be undertaken shortly.

Local residents and visitors are encouraged to report any sightings of the whale to the DOC hotline.