Saturday, 20 August 2022
Meet the JournalistsPremiumAucklandWellingtonCanterbury/South Island
CrimePoliticsHealthEducationEnvironment and ClimateNZ Herald FocusData journalismKāhu, Māori ContentPropertyWeather
Small BusinessOpinionPersonal FinanceEconomyBusiness TravelCapital Markets
Politics
Premium SportRugbyCricketRacingNetballBoxingLeagueFootballSuper RugbyAthleticsBasketballMotorsportTennisCyclingGolfAmerican SportsHockeyUFC
NZH Local FocusThe Northern AdvocateThe Northland AgeThe AucklanderWaikato HeraldBay of Plenty TimesHawke's Bay TodayRotorua Daily PostWhanganui ChronicleStratford PressManawatu GuardianKapiti NewsHorowhenua ChronicleTe Awamutu Courier
Covid-19
Te Rito
Te Rito
OneRoof PropertyCommercial Property
Open JusticeVideoPodcastsTechnologyWorldOpinion
SpyTVMoviesBooksMusicCultureSideswipeCompetitions
Fashion & BeautyFood & DrinkRoyalsRelationshipsWellbeingPets & AnimalsVivaCanvasEat WellCompetitionsRestaurants & Menus
New Zealand TravelAustralia TravelInternational Travel
Our Green FutureRuralOneRoof Property
Career AdviceCorporate News
Driven MotoringPhotos
SudokuCodecrackerCrosswordsWordsearchDaily quizzes
Classifieds
KaitaiaWhangareiDargavilleAucklandThamesTaurangaHamiltonWhakataneRotoruaTokoroaTe KuitiTaumarunuiTaupoGisborneNew PlymouthNapierHastingsDannevirkeWhanganuiPalmerston NorthLevinParaparaumuMastertonWellingtonMotuekaNelsonBlenheimWestportReeftonKaikouraGreymouthHokitikaChristchurchAshburtonTimaruWanakaOamaruQueenstownDunedinGoreInvercargill
NZ HeraldThe Northern AdvocateThe Northland AgeThe AucklanderWaikato HeraldBay Of Plenty TimesRotorua Daily PostHawke's Bay TodayWhanganui ChronicleThe Stratford PressManawatu GuardianKapiti NewsHorowhenua ChronicleTe Awamutu CourierVivaEat WellOneRoofDriven MotoringThe CountryPhoto SalesNZ Herald InsightsWatchMeGrabOneiHeart RadioRestaurant Hub

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
New Zealand

Boaties in gun as orca dumps calf

30 Sep, 2015 02:15 AM3 minutes to read
This orca mother was chased off her dead calf by boaties in a "disgusting display of human behaviour"

This orca mother was chased off her dead calf by boaties in a "disgusting display of human behaviour"

Northern Advocate
By Kristin Edge

Boaties approaching too fast and too close caused a grieving orca whale to dump her dead calf, drawing a warning from Tutukaka-based orca expert Ingrid Visser.

Breaching the rules around whale encounters under the Marine Mammals Protection Act can lead to a maximum penalty of up to two years' jail, or a $100,000 fine.

In the latest encounter, after spending 22 hours watching the mother orca carrying her dead calf on the Hauraki Gulf, Dr Visser was devastated to see her driven off, due to what she calls a "disgusting display of human behaviour". She said orca could spend up to two weeks grieving with their dead offspring.

The calf was estimated to be less than 2 weeks old and a preliminary necropsy showed it had died from "blunt force trauma" and was most likely to have been struck by a boat.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

"Although many people showed great respect and sympathy when they approached and drove considerately, the few who didn't caused the mother to abandon her baby," Dr Visser said.

"They were approaching too fast and just driving her off her calf. It was a disgusting display of human behaviour."

The whale and dead 300kg calf were spotted on Saturday by a fisherman on the Hauraki Gulf and it was about 5pm the same day that Dr Visser managed to find them. She slept on her boat overnight and it was about 3pm on Sunday when boaties forced the orca to leave.

"In the time we followed her, she was only metres away from the calf that she was pushing ahead of her in the wind and current."

Once the mother had left, the calf was buried on a nearby island with the blessing of local iwi.

"The mother has been re-sighted moving very fast out of the area, but accompanied by the rest of her group, who had remained with her during the whole process," Dr Visser said yesterday.

Related articles

New Zealand

Scared shark flung itself onto rocks

08 Sep 10:00 PM
New Zealand

Orca visits Whangarei for dinner

18 Sep 03:26 AM

She said with so many orca around Northland's coast as well as plenty of dolphins, boaties needed to be vigilant and careful around marine life.

"Boating season is here and people need to be aware of whales and dolphins and give them the space legally required."

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

If you see orca in New Zealand waters, please call 0800 SEE ORCA.

Approach marine life with caution

Rules around marine mammal encounters

• Do not disturb, harass or make loud noises near marine mammals.

• Contact should be ceased should marine mammals show any signs of
becoming disturbed or alarmed.

• Do not feed or throw any rubbish near marine mammals.

• Avoid sudden or repeated changes in speed or direction of any vessel or
aircraft near a marine mammal.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

• There should be no more than three vessels and/or aircraft within 300 metres
of any marine mammal.

• Ensure that you travel no faster than idle or "no wake" speed within 300
metres of any marine mammal.

• Approach whales and dolphins from behind and to the side.

• Do not circle them, obstruct their path or cut through any group.

• Keep at least 50 metres from whales (or 200 metres from any whale mother
and calf or calves).

Swimming with whales is not permitted.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Latest from New Zealand

Education

Departing head of polytech a 'scapegoat' - National

20 Aug 01:44 AM
New Zealand

Covid: 3302 new cases, 10 deaths as dominant strain of virus emerges

20 Aug 01:05 AM
New Zealand

'Should not be approached': Wellington police seek wanted man

20 Aug 12:52 AM
New Zealand

Evacuations in Wellington after slips

20 Aug 12:39 AM
New Zealand

'Unbelievable' wild weather - more homes evacuated overnight

20 Aug 12:20 AM

Most Popular

Covid: 3302 new cases, 10 deaths as dominant strain of virus emerges
New Zealand

Covid: 3302 new cases, 10 deaths as dominant strain of virus emerges

20 Aug 01:05 AM
'Unbelievable' wild weather - more homes evacuated overnight
New Zealand

'Unbelievable' wild weather - more homes evacuated overnight

20 Aug 12:20 AM
Firefighters save man trapped on car roof in raging torrent
New Zealand

Firefighters save man trapped on car roof in raging torrent

19 Aug 09:35 PM

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
About NZMEHelp & SupportContact UsSubscribe to NZ HeraldHouse Rules
Manage Your Print SubscriptionNZ Herald E-EditionAdvertise with NZMEBook Your AdPrivacy Policy
Terms of UseCompetition Terms & ConditionsSubscriptions Terms & Conditions
© Copyright 2022 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP