Today at Papamoa, a 30 year old male Orca (Killer Whale) named Nobbie, became stranded on the beach. We went down to see him and were lucky enough to see the rescue and the moment where the Orca could head back out to sea.
Apparently this particular Orca has been stranded 3-4 times in New Zealand before and the lady that rode out on him as he swam away, had been flown in by helicopter to help with his rescue, as she has helped him before and has been studying his family.
Apparently this particular Orca has been stranded 3-4 times in New Zealand before and the lady that rode out on him as he swam away, had been flown in by helicopter to help with his rescue, as she has helped him before and has been studying his family.
There were so many people at Papamoa watching the rescue. It is so rare to be able to see a wild Orca this close up and we were just pleased that the rescue attempt was successful.
The orca was pretty big (7 metres long) and seemed happy to finally be back out to sea. We could see him surfacing pretty high as he got further and further out to sea. We hope he found his family and doesn't get stranded again.
We will try and load a video of the final moments where he was sent back to sea but for now, we have added some pictures.
The orca was pretty big (7 metres long) and seemed happy to finally be back out to sea. We could see him surfacing pretty high as he got further and further out to sea. We hope he found his family and doesn't get stranded again.
We will try and load a video of the final moments where he was sent back to sea but for now, we have added some pictures.
