False dolfini and frenetic excavations: the army of helpers who learn to save the blocked whales of New Zealand | New Zealand

ORNa Blustry Marce Day in Wellington, a group of aspiring whale rescuers who wear hi-vis crops and jackets are in life in depth in the cold waters of the torrid bay. Among them, a replica of two tons of a pilot whale oscillates gently in the wave motion.

On the sand, another group pours buckets of water on a replica dolphin, while some dig the sand from under his fins. Occasionally, a coach reminds students to feel behind from the tail – if this were a real animal, the tail could give an unexpected blow.

The animals are so salvifying that bathers run to control them, pushing insurance from trainers who are only models to teach people how to respond if a whale or a dolphin flakes.

New Zealand is a Global hotspot for whale filamentsWith hundreds of sorry along the vast coast of the town every year. In most countries, the filaments are mainly managed by government agencies but in New Zealand, a unique cultural phenomenon takes place – a vast network at national level of trained volunteers jumps into action to help in saving whales on board.

The volunteers have put on their lives and work with officials who guide the saves of the whales, who can request hundreds of hands on the bridge.

Mark Runce, engineer of the district of the neighbor Nelson, is one of the most dedicated rescue volunteers of New Zealand. His journey as a helper began a summer evening a decade ago, when 200 pilot whales blocked in the notorious “trap for whales” of New Zealand – a long spit tight on top of the southern island, where mass filaments are frequent.

In the next few days, more than 500 people-fammas, tourists and maritime-si specialists are gathered and attempted to repay the black black animals that dot the shallows like the shiny obsidian.

Round and his daughter They were among these, although he had never participated in a spinning before. There were a whale for hours: cool it with water and make it comfortable. When the time came to repay the animal, they did not have the appropriate equipment and as such, they were ordered out of the beach before the rescue was finished.

“For days later I was quite shaken – did my whale survived?” remember. The experience pushed Runce and his daughter to enroll in a day of a day that would have equipped them with knowledge to see a saving of the whales.

Since then, Runce has participated in nine filaments and volunteers his time to help the Jonah project, a beneficial organization that trains the doctors of marine mammals and supports the marine environment. He works closely alongside the Conservation Department to respond to the Strandings. More than 5,000 New Zealanders followed the one day of Jonah of the project so that they can help in the filaments.

“Avoiding every social class,” says Rounce. “Nobody asks what your political opinions are or what your religion is, everyone only wants to launch and help.

“If the world could live as we do when we are involved in a series, we would have no problems.”

New Zealand was one of the first countries to the pioneer rescue and response programs for Strandings, says Louisa Hawkes, a biologist and one of the two full -time staff members who manage Jonah. This inheritance, alongside the single model based on volunteers, makes the battery response of New Zealand at an international level, he says.

“I don’t know many courses where you can go to not know the head or tail of a whale, to the possibility of helping to take care of a whale and authorize people to do the same on one day,” he says.

Abroad, a spinning is considered great if its 10-30 animals, says Hawkes. “It is over one hundred for us.” Responding to these events would be impossible without the hundreds of volunteers, he says.

“We are still basic roots – we could not do it without people willing to put their lives on pause and help.”

In some cases, scientists are able to determine why a whale has blocked, whether it is a disease or injury. But in many events it is not clear and identify the reasons why it is an ongoing research field, says Karen Stockin, professor of Marine Ecology at Massey University.

In New Zealand, the long coast can contribute a great diversity of species of whales and dolphins and long -lasting coastal geography. Social and behavioral factors can also play a role: if a head of a pod becomes disoriented, others can follow.

Stockin states that researchers also regularly look if human activity is a factor, whether it is underwater disorders by ships or nutritional discomfort that can be connected to excess fishing or climate change.

New Zealand has “an answer to Gum and all at the whale filaments,” says Stockin. He puts him at the close proximity of the population to the ocean and the desire to spend time on the beach during the summer, which also coincides with the peak season.

“It’s a cultural thing, there is no doubt about it.”

Again on Scorching Bay’s beach, the university student Maia Horn says to The Guardian who, as a specialist in marine biology, ardently wanted to complete the formation of the project. But his reasons are also personal.

The whales are considered a “taonga” species for Maori, which means that they are a sacred treasure of cultural meaning. Horn’s family is of the little one, mainly Maori, in the community of the North Whāgārā island, where the whale pilot is set – the novel by Witi Ihimara and its cinematographic adaptation.

“The whales have a special meaning for me … unconsciously along the road, I think (WHāgārā) the connection he was motivating me.”

The new volunteer Pablo Wolinski wanted to become a doctor so that he could return something to the ocean.

“Here, we rely on others,” he says. “Everyone approaches to help … also for other creatures.”