[ad_1]
William Mons / Things
Golden Bay residents are on a nightly race to save a huge beached whale
Crowds of Golden Bay residents are joining together to try to save a large whale washed up on Pakawau Beach on Farewell Spit.
The animal is believed to be a Sei whale, the third largest species in the world.
Local resident Bruce Schwartfeger was among those who had been on the beach helping to pour water on the whale.
He estimated that the whale was 12 to 14 meters long and some 30 volunteers had been helping to care for it, although its condition was deteriorating.
READ MORE:
* Project Jonah helps volunteers prepare for the Taranaki strandings
* Whale Stranding: How to Help Becoming a Marine Mammal Doctor
* Massive whale strandings on Stewart Island
“He didn’t look happy, he was foaming from his nostril. It’s not good, ”he said.
Project Jonah, a non-profit organization focused on rescuing marine mammals, said the whale did not appear healthy.
“There are concerns about the whale’s health and it shows signs of poor condition. The tide is rising and the water will be around the whale soon, so no further help is needed at this stage, ”the organization said in a Facebook post.
At 5 p.m., four rangers from the Department of Conservation were assisting with the efforts. The beach will be checked first thing in the morning by the DoC staff.
William Mons / Things
A group of about 30 volunteers was on the scene trying to help the animal.
The volunteers were scooping up buckets of water and draping cloths over the animal, which appeared to have been cut and was losing a significant amount of blood.
“There’s not much you can do, it’s a pretty huge animal,” he said.
Bruce Schwartfeger / Stuff
The whale appears to have been cut off and is losing blood.
The next high tide at Farewell Spit is expected at 1:37 am, which is the best hope to float the whale back to sea.
William Mons / Things
The volunteers are trying to keep the whale hydrated and healthy until high tide at 1:37 am.
