Karikari Pilot Whale Stranding

21
Aug

“Shayni! Come and save the whales with me!”

I had my bus booked for 9am in the morning to Auckland, in bed and about to go to sleep when I got the txt, “Shayni! Come and save the whales with me!” Warm clothes were packed plus a few essentials and then I was off, running down my driveway to my work mate and good friend Tamra who had the van packed with wetsuits, torches, buckets and chocolate.

Three hours and a few U turns later we arrived at Kari Kari peninsular where we were greeted by locals who told us we should camp the night and sign in to help the next morning. By this time it was 12am and we were ready to start doing what we could, so we drove a bit further up the road to another beach entry. After some sly talking we managed to convince DOC we were here to save the whales whether they liked it or not and we made our way down the dark, muddy track.

As we neared the bright generator light in the dunes I got a bit nervous, I had only ever seen whales where they should be, in the ocean and free. A local greeted us and gave us an update before taking us down the path to the beach. As my eyes adjusted to the darkness the moonlight revealed a pair of dark shapes to my left and I automatically grabbed Tam’s hand and squeezed, I didn’t want to see them so she led me the rest of the way. The whales breathing was the strangest sound, it was loud and unnatural on the beach.

We were taken to the largest whale first, he wasn’t doing so well. His size was so intimidating and I felt the need to respect that before I carefully put my hand on his skin. He shook before taking each strained breath and I could feel the desperateness of every one of them. We quickly got to work filling buckets of water, running them back up the beach. We had to keep make sure that he didn’t overheat by pouring water on his fins, dorsal and tail flukes as well as keeping his skin constantly wet. We also had to dig under his peck fins so he wouldn’t crush them if he rolled over. This meant also positioning the 6 ton whale in an upright position using sand bags and a heave from about 8 people. I took a break after a while and sat by his side with the local who greeted us when we arrived. He said the whale didn’t have a name yet but that he had had a Ziggy Marley song stuck in his head all day, it was decided, we would call him Ziggy.

I don’t know if you’ve ever got a face full of whale breath but it’s not pleasant. I thought about this to myself as I poured water over the top of Ziggy’s head.  I’m not sure where the time went but I finally took a moment to look around, fifteen whales all lay horizontally down the beach with glow sticks at each of their noses to show that they were alive. At least two or more people accompanied each whale, whether it was talking to them or carrying buckets of water. I decided to see if anyone else needed help and I made my way along the beach stopping to fill buckets for a few. A small baby whale only around a metre and a half long began to cry and I swear it was the most heartbreaking sound, tears where inevitable.

Tamra and I were later called on to help a whale whose caregivers were leaving. A young girl had named him Mojo and she had been with this whale all day but had to go to bed.  So we had our mission, bucket after bucket, up and down the beach pouring and digging. We later found out Mojo was a girl, but I still think the name rocked. Every time I drifted off I was abruptly woken by one of Mojo’s loud breaths and a bit of blowhole spray reminding me where I was, nice. I sang her my favourite Ben Harper song and cleaned her weeping eyes with sea water. 3am, 4am, 5am, the sun began to rise.

The sun didn’t bring the promise of action. We continued as we had through the night, and wondered when the whales would be moved. The plan was to release them in Maitai bay over the hill, mission impossible I thought but it’s amazing what humans can do when they band together for a selfless cause.  Although I was focused on the whales that were alive I couldn’t help notice the 50 odd dead, dragged and piled high on the sand dunes behind me. To me these creatures were so sacred and I felt anger and sadness at the necessary disrespect.

More people came to help, some to just take pictures and we practically had to be dragged away and forced to have a break. We were determined to be with Mojo until she swam away and this was what was recommended anyway by Ingrid, whale expert extraordinaire, but I guess we had to look after ourselves if we were going to be of any use. We were joined once again by the girl who named Mojo so we felt a little comfort in knowing she wouldn’t leave her. We took the opportunity to get ready for the move instead of rest. Along the way I had managed to get a project JONAH vest for Tam, marine mammal medic represent!  From that moment onwards we were VIP, no gate was left unopened for us.

We signed in with DOC who gave us some food and a cuppa, legends, and then we were off again.  We moved the van, got into wetsuits and then went back down the beach, almost running. When we got there we took over as mummies again, ah relief.

Ziggy was the first to be moved, as the crowd gathered to watch and the TV news cameras began rolling they tried to push him over sideways to put the sling under his tummy. His weight was simply not meant to be on solid ground and his discomfort turned into stress. His tail began thrashing, his eyes went wide and then they closed, he became still. Ziggy was gone and I couldn’t help but cry, what if Mojo freaks out? As the large digger lifted Mojo I never let go or stopped talking to her and once she was on the trailer the only thing I could focus on was her, my arm did its own thing now automatically pouring water again and again. The tractor began to move and out of nowhere she flipped out, her tail started thrashing and her eyes went wide, please no! Over all the instructions I only heard Ingrid’s voice “everybody get back, don’t touch her, she’s going to die”

I sent every good thought and positive energy I had in me and by some miracle Mojo took a breath, I can’t explain how I felt. The tractor began to move again and we were on our way over the hill, my focus was only on her. We arrived at the beach parting the huge crowd of people at the edge of the water and I found myself throwing my belongings to the nearest random. The digger lifted Mojo and placed her in the water, Tamra, the young girl and myself still there by her side. Once the sling was out from underneath her we slowly took her into deeper water. Everyone was barking orders at us to do this, that and the other but we only took guidance from the people we trusted, mainly Ingrid. We began to rock Mojo so she could get used to floating and being in the water again. After a while we had our main crew led by Tam and myself, we had a routine and could feel what she needed and when.

Mojo soon became the star of the show, the progress was amazing and she was soon rolling over herself and swimming alongside us. Tam would put on hand on her nose and I would place one behind her blow hole and on her side and she would stop immediately and roll over. She was definitely ready to go.

Most of the whales were in the water, some still to come, however Mojo was the only one ready. She was getting impatient and reluctant to stop swimming, bucking her head and taking off in every direction. Tam and I had to calm her down and wait patiently for the others. We spent 6 hours in the water with her stopping only for a quick bite.  The last whale arrived, her name was Guinness and she was the largest after Ziggy. Her mums name was Michelle and like us she had been on the beach all night. Once everyone was ready we lined up along the beach with our whales turned and facing the open ocean. Mojo rolled over and looked straight at me, ready, steady, go! Away they went! Mojo did her usual and just lay there for a while on her back before taking off.

Almost 40 hours without sleep, mildly hypothermic and absolutely exhausted there were still a series of unfortunate events awaiting us in the near future. After locating my belongings that I had thrust in some stranger’s direction we met a really awesome young guy who had saved my camera and even taken some photos. He offered us a ride we couldn’t refuse and after signing out with DOC, helping lift a compressor and almost breaking three of my fingers we went to go and get the van. Ah but alas all of gates were locked and no high viz vest was going to get us through them. The hunt began for the farmer who owned the land and the key for the gates. The young guy took us on a wild goose chase all over the peninsular looking for a way to get the van back as I sat helpless in the front seat, crashing and burning. We found a key! But ah, all of our stuff was on the other side of an estuary and it was high tide. So through the water we waded and down the beach we stumbled. At this moment the sun was setting on our 38th hours with no sleep and I was wet and cold. Stuff…check, Van…check, sanity? Well that was still missing but a hug for the awesome young guy who helped us? Definitely check.

We saved nine whales in the end including Mojo, I hope I get to see her again one day out at sea and hope that she remembers me. I am so proud to have been a part of it and although I missed my bus, didn’t sleep for 40 hours, was a complete physical and mental wreck and got owned by the three hour’s drive home and walk up my steep driveway I would do it all over again. I will remember the experience forever.

Shayni Hawkins – Dive! Tutukaka

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