By KATHERINE HOBY
The number of Brydes whales found dead in New Zealand waters is disturbing conservationists.
While Department of Conservation staff were burying an almost fully grown 12m male in soft sand north of Long Bay yesterday, another dead whale was sighted floating off Takatu Pt, near the northern end
of Kawau Island.
This brings to five the number of whales found dead in the past 18 months. Four were hit and killed by vessels in the Hauraki Gulf. The latest whale has yet to be examined, and it is not certain why it died.
Bill Trusewich, of DoC, said the latest dead whale, which was decomposing, was towed to Tauwharanui Regional Park. It was likely to be buried today.
When DoC staff went to retrieve the body, another Brydes whale was swimming nearby. He said it might be their breeding season, because the creatures were usually solitary.
The other whale found on Monday was interred in a secret location north of Long Bay, where seven or eight other whales were already buried. He said the location had to be kept secret in case bone hunters dug up the bodies.
Examination showed that the whale died almost instantly when a container ship fractured its skull.
There were several reasons the whales might have been hit, Mr Trusewich said.
Whales were sometimes curious about boats, might have been asleep when hit or their sonar systems might have been confused by the noise of engines.
With busy shipping channels around New Zealand, whales were likely to keep getting hit.
"Unfortunately, ways to prevent it are limited."
Brydes whales generally liked subtropical waters and New Zealand coastal waters were probably the outskirts of their preferred territory.
Mr Trusewich said burying a whale was a moving experience.
"How beautiful it is, how tragic. It tears you up."
Project Jonah national spokeswoman Trish Steward said whales were curious creatures.
She was concerned at the increased number of boats in the water for the America's Cup. Many people were not aware of the rules governing whales and dolphins.
Boats must keep 500m from the mammals.
Herald feature: Environment
