Newborn long-finned pilot whale put down New Zealand - PHOTO

Newborn whale to aid learning

By Rebecca Fox

Tue, 1 Nov 2011

A newborn long-finned pilot whale found in Oamaru Harbour at the weekend will help the next generation of marine scientists learn about the species which most often washes up on New Zealand beaches.

The 1.7m-long newborn had to be put down as it had become separated from its mother and could not survive on its own, Department of Conservation marine ranger Jim Fyfe said.

It had been brought to Dunedin for examination by Doc and University of Otago marine scientist Associate Prof Steve Dawson.

Prof Dawson said that they could tell it was a female as it still had the fetal folds from being curled up in its mother’s womb and it had a droopy dorsal fin.

“Mortality at this age is common. If they lose their mum, they have no chance.”

Long-finned pilot whales were those most … Read more…

odt.co.nz

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