Whaletrips new zealand best tips for whale watching in. Kayaking nz view marine life kayaking with kaikoura kayaks. New zealand has one of the highest rates of whale strandings in the world, and fridays event was the nations thirdbiggest in recorded history. For example, more have damaged dorsal fins than orcas in other regions, although the reason is not known. Incredible video out of new zealand shows a swimmer having a very. Best months to view dolphins and whales relaxing journeys. Jun 08, 2012 new zealand is renowned for having a plethora of tourist attractions, but few have the broad appeal of whale watching. Orca research trust founder ingrid visser says the orca was freed. Ingrid natasha visser born 20 february 1966 is a new zealand marine biologist who studies orcas. A scientist by the name of ken balcomb discovered that u.
Fewer than 200 orca are estimated to be living in new zealand waters. New zealand whales fatter and healthier than northern counterparts date added. Orca killer whales marine life marlborough sounds nz. As you can see every month is good to seeing something, but the winter months mayjuly probably give the greatest range, including the occasional orca whale. Whale watching you can spot whales throughout new zealand, including aucklands beautiful hauraki gulf and the wonderful kaikoura. Exciting to watch, orcas have a behavioral repertoire seemingly made for shipboard viewing. They can grow up to 9 m in length, with male dorsal fins reaching higher than a metre. Between october and march, massive orca visit the marlborough sounds. In addition to the sperm whale, a number of different species of whale have been sighted off our coastline, including blues, humpbacks, rights and orca. While kaikoura in the south island is new zealands whale watching capital, you can go whale watching all. New footage shows just how close a group of swimmers came to an orca whale which swam close to shore in the coromandel peninsula last weekend. Killer whale attacks dolphin in front of tourists new zealand. The twoway the countrys department of conservation says the stranding of more than 400 whales is one of its worst on record. Filmed on 4 december at hahei beach on the coromandel peninsular, new zealand.
Largest of the dolphins, the orca, is a highly successful predator, feeding on fish, seals, and sometimes whales. Sperm whales reside here yearround, in fact sightings are so frequent that whale watch kaikoura will provide a refund in the unlikely event of not spotting one. Injured orca freed from fishing line, doc appeals for sightings rnz. Giant sperm whales are the stars of the show and yearround residents. Baby killer whale fights for life in new zealand harbour. As well as sighting whales, a typical trip will cruise by colonies of new zealand fur seals and perhaps take in groups of dolphins, depending on the season. Orcas filmed swimming in popular estuary filled with holidaymakers. New type of killer whale found swimming in southern ocean. Download scientific diagram the distribution of killer whales orcinus orca around new zealand.
Silence is golden for whales as lockdown reduces ocean noise. Kneeboarder gets visit from curious killer whale in new zealand a drone captures a curious killer whale following a kneeboarder in new zealand s tindall bay. Killer whales surround new zealand woman in stunning drone. Kneeboarder gets visit from curious killer whale in new.
The worst part about sea world not addressing this issue is that fights sometimes do break out, and at least one whale eg. Orca killer whales may be seen from december to march, and humpback whales in june and july. The orca killer whale was in party of a pod of about eight whales which targeted a larger number of smaller dolphins, known as false killer whales or pseudo orcas. Orca killer whale encounter, dolphin seafaris, bay of plenty. A video sent to 1 news by viewer shane watt shows the two children swimming frantically as the killer whales headed straight for them, before swimming past either side of them and out to sea. The kaikoura peninsula lies south of the main township and creates unique currents that draw in marine life from a trench deep in the pacific ocean. Feb 09, 2017 according to project jonah, a whale rescue group, new zealand has one of the highest rates of whale strandings in the world, and on average about 300 whales and dolphins beach themselves on kiwi. I was watching a pod of orcas swimming up the beach, i saw a swimmer swimming along shore directly towards them, at. Orcas cruise within feet of bathers in new zealand. Perhaps its the aweinspiring sight of these majestic creatures at close quarters, or the fact that you get to tour on a boat or in the air and see other remarkable aquatic scenery. Researchers are still discovering facts about new zealands orcas. Auckland is privileged to witness whales at play in the beautiful hauraki gulf marine park. Breachinginvolving graceful leaps completely out of the water with thrilling reentries, tailslapping, spyhopping and loggingwhereby the entire group faces in the same direction in close proximity to each otheroffer numerous opportunities to observe these striking animals in.
Perhaps its the aweinspiring sight of these majestic creatures at close quarters, or the fact that you get to tour on a boat or in the. Some feed exclusively on fish, while others hunt marine mammals such as seals and other species of dolphin. New zealand is renowned for having a plethora of tourist attractions, but few have the broad appeal of whale watching. Another 200 whales were stranded on a new zealand coastline late saturday, frustrating rescuers who had battled through the day and even defied a shark threat to try and keep them at sea. Old tom was thought to be the leader of a pod of killer whales which helped the whalers by herding baleen whales into twofold bay. Oct 23, 2017 that was the scene a woman captured at a popular beach in new zealand last saturday only the animal in question wasnt a great white shark, but a killer whale. In 2008, the iucn changed its assessment of the killer whales conservation status from conservation dependent to data deficient, recognizing that one or more killer whale types may actually be separate, endangered species. May 12, 2011 incredible encounter with orca killer whale while out with dolphin seafaris tauranga in the bay of plenty, new zealand.
She regularly lectures on the subject aboard cruise ships, especially in antarctica, and has been featured in several documentaries about orcas. May 17, 2016 the evolution of a whale chaser the photo ex paul drake others ex chris miller yesterday was one of those days when ww turns up a gem. The content on this page was created by orca wild adventures. New type of killer whale found swimming in southern ocean the notion that there might be some new kind of killer whale emerged in 1955, when photos from new zealand showed a bunch of unusual. In 2008, the iucn changed its assessment of the killer whale s conservation status from conservation dependent to data deficient, recognizing that one or more killer whale types may actually be separate, endangered species. In new zealand 23% of adult male orcas have an abnormal fin, compared with 5% in british columbia and 0. A scientist by the name of ken balcomb discovered that. Just why there should be more in new zealand is a mystery. The twoway the countrys department of conservation says the stranding. Experience the natural treasures of new zealand on a kaikoura whale watching cruise. Incredible encounter with orca killer whale while out with dolphin seafaris tauranga in the bay of plenty, new zealand. Theyll be seen close to shore, their dorsal fins an incredible two metres above the surface, as they chase dinner of stingray or skate.
It is not intended to give any assurance that any particular provider meets certain quality standards or legal obligations. Feb, 2017 authorities in new zealand are planning to cut holes in 300 whale carcasses today to avoid them exploding as they decompose on golden bay after more than 600 whales became stranded. Various types of dolphins live here, too, and occasionally you can also see orcas or. Authorities in new zealand are planning to cut holes in 300 whale carcasses today to avoid them exploding as they decompose on golden bay after more than 600 whales became stranded. The resident population of sperm whales at kaikoura can be seen all year round. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones. The distribution of killer whales orcinus orca around new zealand. Orcas, or killer whales, are the largest of the dolphins. A mature allwhite male orca, the only one of its kind known, has been spotted in the north pacific off the east coast of russia, scientists announced monday april 23. Mar 29, 2010 the orca killer whale was in party of a pod of about eight whales which targeted a larger number of smaller dolphins, known as false killer whales or pseudo orcas. Tommy hatwell, a wildlife photographer, watched as one of the whales, a female, attacked one of the dolphins, a female with her young pup, eventually tossing her into the air and. A baby orca separated from its mother and pod for two weeks is slowly dying in a new zealand harbour, despite a taskforce being set up to try and save it the orca nicknamed bob by. On a typical whale watch tour you may also encounter new zealand fur seals, pods of dusky dolphins and the endangered wandering albatross. The killer whale, or orca orcinus orca, is a toothed whale belonging to the oceanic dolphin family, of which it is the largest member.
Kiakoura on the east coast of the south island is also a great whale watching region. Orca and kayaker encounter caught on drone video youtube. Orcas can be seen off the kaikoura coastline when on a whale watch kaikoura tour. Look for impressive sperm whales along with migrating humpbacks and southern right whales, and search the waters for orcas and other dolphins as an experienced guide shares informative commentary. Orca wild adventures tauranga, new zealand facebook. Just imagine coming eye to eye with a 15metre sperm whale its an experience you wont forget.
The maori, who were the first to settle in new zealand, appear to have hunted whales rarely, but did eat stranded whales the earliest association of whaling with new zealand is from december 1791, when the whaleship william and ann called in at doubtless bay during a whaling voyage in the pacific. Sometimes the triangular dorsal fin is bent out of shape or hooked. Experience the natural treasures of new zealand on a kaikoura whalewatching cruise. When judie johnson of hahei, new zealand, recently took a dip in the waters off the coast of coromandel, she never expected to be surrounded by a pod of playful orca whales. As well as sighting whales, a typical trip will cruise by colonies of new zealand fur seals and perhaps take in. Whale watching has a certain tradition in new zealand. Orcas in new zealand te ara encyclopedia of new zealand. Known as the whale capital, kaikoura is a worldfamous whale watching site, in particular for sperm whales which is currently the most abundant of large whales in new zealand waters.
There are fewer than 200 orcas living in new zealand waters, where they are protected. The killer whaleorca orcinus orca is well known and can be identified relatively easily by its distinctive black and white markings and very tall, prominent dorsal fin. Tours are offered since the 90ies, mostly on the southern island, the northern island following its lead. Watch kaikouras magnificent resident sperm whales as well as other species of whale put on a spectacular show in their natural. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. According to marine guide and whale rescue cofounder jo floppy halliday, who has been working with cetaceans in new zealand for over 20 years, its precisely this kind of investigative swimby. According to project jonah, a whale rescue group, new zealand has one of the highest rates of whale strandings in the world, and on average about 300. The pods are generally small around two to four orcas. Orca can be found around the coast of new zealand including estuaries and harbours being seen off the kaikoura coastline generally between the months of november march usually at least 23 times a month. Learn all about orcas and other fun facts about this marine mammal here. My life with new zealands killer whales kindle edition by visser, ingrid.
It is a criminal offence to harass or disturb marine mammals. The rescuers had to wait until the killer whale tired to cut him free. That was the scene a woman captured at a popular beach in new zealand last saturday only the animal in question wasnt a great white shark, but a killer whale. On a new zealand whale watching tour in kaikoura, you can choose a tour to view these magnificent creatures from the water, on a specially designed catamaran, or from the air in a four or eight seat aeroplane. Killer whales have a diverse diet, although individual populations often specialize in particular types of prey. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. The best whale watching spots in new zealand hostelbookers. Pod of killer whales sends terrified beachgoers fleeing in. This website helps visitors connect with providers of great new zealand tourism experiences. Sep 09, 2016 new zealand photographer sam kynmancole captured drone footage of a playful orca whale interacting with a kayaker in army bay, new zealand. They are most commonly spotted off the bay of plenty, east coast and hawkes bay coasts in. New zealand is renowned as one of the worlds best whale watching destinations, and this unique wildlife encounter should be on every visitors itinerary. The same is true for the orca, who are known by many different names, including killer whale, fat chopper, black fish and demon dolphin.
Whale watching in new zealand is predominantly centered around the areas of kaikoura and the hauraki gulf. Two orcas have been filmed swimming in a popular estuary north of auckland, filled with holidaymakers. The evolution of a whale chaser the photo ex paul drake others ex chris miller yesterday was one of those days when ww turns up a gem. You can also download the nz orca photoidentification guide to help you recognise the individual orca. Rescuers describe freeing gray whale from fishing net near port angeles date added. The abc7 news app is the best way to stay up to date. Sperm whales, the largest of the toothed whales, grow to over 15 metres in length. These majestic creatures can be found travelling in tight knit pods of between 6 20 individuals. New zealand photographer sam kynmancole captured drone footage of a playful orca whale interacting with a kayaker in army bay, new zealand. Amazing encounter with three orcas in new zealand once in a lifetime experience. Orca flippers are large and paddleshaped and overall the body is robust. And lastly, the orcas might bang their heads into the walls on accident as the walls are far more vertical than the average seashore.
928 273 47 314 1518 1642 1272 1149 171 79 1647 720 747 490 160 799 1418 1045 1200 67 446 1072 1628 326 82 114 935 1057 390 20 1435 1172 1035 1483 445 1352 324 1281 570 24 652