ニュージーランド南島のゴールデン湾で2月10日、400頭以上のゴンドウクジラが浅瀬に打ち上げられ、政府職員やボランティアが集まり、海に戻す作業を続けている。
10日早朝、政府の保護局係官が少なくとも416頭のゴンドウクジラがフェアウェル・スピット海岸に打ち上げられているのを発見した。数百人のボランティアがニュージーランドのゴールデン湾の北端に集まった。ニュージーランドで史上最多のクジラの打ち上げだった。
500人以上のチームが満潮に乗せて140頭に上るクジラを海に戻したが、多くは方向を誤り、海岸に向けて泳ぎ始めた。再び浜に乗り上げずに湾まで泳ぎ出せたのはわずか50頭だった。ニュージーランド自然保護局の報告によると、少なくとも250頭が海岸で死んだ。
フェアウェル・スピット海岸は、ニュージーランド南島の北西岸にある弧をえがいた狭い砂地だ。専門家はこれが「クジラの罠」になっているとい2015年には同海岸に200頭近いゴンドウクジラが乗り上げ、多くが死んだ。
救出作戦は進行中だが、自然保護局の実施責任者アンドリュー・ラマソン氏は、望みは「徐々に薄れている」と地元メディアに語った。ボランティア、自然保護局係官と海洋哺乳類保護団体「プロジェクト・ジョナ」のメンバーらは、残りのクジラを海に戻す作業を11日の満潮時に再び行う予定だ。
緑の党国会議員のバリー・コーツ氏は、10日に救出作戦の現場を訪れ、なぜこのようなことが続くのか研究するため、緊急に自然保護局の予算増額が必要だと訴えた。
「この大きな哺乳動物と海の楽園を保護するため、私たちは政策を変える必要があります。それほどに悲惨な状況なのです」と、コーツ議員は海岸で語った。
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ハフィントンポストUS版より翻訳・加筆しました。
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ニュージーランドにゴンドウクジラ400頭打ち上げられる
NEWZEALAND-WHALES/(01 of35)
Volunteers attend to some of the hundreds of stranded pilot whales still alive, as one lies on a sandbank marked with an \'X\' to indicate it has died, after one of the country\'s largest recorded mass whale strandings, in Golden Bay, at the top of New Zealand\'s South Island, February 10, 2017. REUTERS/Anthony Phelps TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY (credit:Anthony Phelps / Reuters)
NZEALAND-ANIMAL-WHALES-CONSERVATION(02 of35)
Volunteers tend to pilot whales during a mass stranding at Farewell Spit on February 11, 2017.\nRescuers defied a shark threat to form a human chain in a New Zealand bay on February 11 in a bid to keep another 200 whales from becoming stranded a day after hundreds died in a mass beaching. / AFP / Marty MELVILLE (Photo credit should read MARTY MELVILLE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:MARTY MELVILLE via Getty Images)
NZEALAND-ANIMAL-WHALES-CONSERVATION(03 of35)
Volunteers pour water on pilot whales during a mass stranding at Farewell Spit on February 11, 2017. \nRescuers defied a shark threat to form a human chain in a New Zealand bay on February 11 in a bid to keep another 200 whales from becoming stranded a day after hundreds died in a mass beaching. / AFP / Marty MELVILLE (Photo credit should read MARTY MELVILLE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:MARTY MELVILLE via Getty Images)
NZEALAND-ANIMAL-WHALES-CONSERVATION(04 of35)
Volunteers pour water on pilot whales during a mass stranding at Farewell Spit on February 11, 2017. \nRescuers defied a shark threat to form a human chain in a New Zealand bay on February 11 in a bid to keep another 200 whales from becoming stranded a day after hundreds died in a mass beaching. / AFP / Marty MELVILLE (Photo credit should read MARTY MELVILLE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:MARTY MELVILLE via Getty Images)
NZEALAND-ANIMAL-WHALES-CONSERVATION(05 of35)
A pilot whale mother and calf lie in shallow waters during a mass stranding at Farewell Spit on February 11, 2017. \nRescuers defied a shark threat to form a human chain in a New Zealand bay on February 11 in a bid to keep another 200 whales from becoming stranded a day after hundreds died in a mass beaching. / AFP / Marty MELVILLE (Photo credit should read MARTY MELVILLE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:MARTY MELVILLE via Getty Images)
NZEALAND-ANIMAL-WHALES-CONSERVATION(06 of35)
Volunteers pour water on pilot whales during a mass stranding at Farewell Spit on February 11, 2017.\nRescuers defied a shark threat to form a human chain in a New Zealand bay on February 11 in a bid to keep another 200 whales from becoming stranded a day after hundreds died in a mass beaching. / AFP / Marty MELVILLE (Photo credit should read MARTY MELVILLE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:MARTY MELVILLE via Getty Images)
NZEALAND-ANIMAL-WHALES(07 of35)
Dead Pilot whales sit on the high tide line during a mass stranding at Farewell Spit on February 11, 2017. \nMore than 400 whales were stranded on a New Zealand beach on February 10, with most of them dying quickly as frustrated volunteers desperately raced to save the survivors. / AFP / Marty MELVILLE (Photo credit should read MARTY MELVILLE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:MARTY MELVILLE via Getty Images)
NZEALAND-ANIMAL-WHALES(08 of35)
Volunteers guide stranded Pilot whales back out to sea during a mass stranding at Farewell Spit on February 11, 2017. \nMore than 400 whales were stranded on a New Zealand beach on February 10, with most of them dying quickly as frustrated volunteers desperately raced to save the survivors. / AFP / Marty MELVILLE (Photo credit should read MARTY MELVILLE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:MARTY MELVILLE via Getty Images)
NZEALAND-ANIMAL-WHALES(09 of35)
Volunteers roll a stranded Pilot whale during a mass stranding at Farewell Spit on February 11, 2017.\nMore than 400 whales were stranded on a New Zealand beach on February 10, with most of them dying quickly as frustrated volunteers desperately raced to save the survivors. / AFP / Marty MELVILLE (Photo credit should read MARTY MELVILLE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:MARTY MELVILLE via Getty Images)
NZEALAND-ANIMAL-WHALES(10 of35)
A volunteer helps a stranded Pilot whale during a mass stranding at Farewell Spit on February 11, 2017.\nMore than 400 whales were stranded on a New Zealand beach on February 10, with most of them dying quickly as frustrated volunteers desperately raced to save the survivors. / AFP / Marty MELVILLE (Photo credit should read MARTY MELVILLE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:MARTY MELVILLE via Getty Images)
NZEALAND-ANIMAL-WHALES(11 of35)
Volunteers guide stranded Pilot whales back out to sea during a mass stranding at Farewell Spit on February 11, 2017. \nMore than 400 whales were stranded on a New Zealand beach on February 10, with most of them dying quickly as frustrated volunteers desperately raced to save the survivors. / AFP / Marty MELVILLE (Photo credit should read MARTY MELVILLE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:MARTY MELVILLE via Getty Images)
NZEALAND-ANIMAL-WHALES(12 of35)
Volunteers guide stranded Pilot whales back out to sea during a mass stranding at Farewell Spit on February 11, 2017. \nMore than 400 whales were stranded on a New Zealand beach on February 10, with most of them dying quickly as frustrated volunteers desperately raced to save the survivors. / AFP / Marty MELVILLE (Photo credit should read MARTY MELVILLE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:MARTY MELVILLE via Getty Images)
NZEALAND-ANIMAL-WHALES(13 of35)
Volunteers roll a stranded Pilot whale during a mass stranding at Farewell Spit on February 11, 2017.\nMore than 400 whales were stranded on a New Zealand beach on February 10, with most of them dying quickly as frustrated volunteers desperately raced to save the survivors. / AFP / Marty MELVILLE (Photo credit should read MARTY MELVILLE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:MARTY MELVILLE via Getty Images)
NZEALAND-ANIMAL-WHALES(14 of35)
Volunteers roll stranded Pilot whales during a mass stranding at Farewell Spit on February 11, 2017.\nMore than 400 whales were stranded on a New Zealand beach on February 10, with most of them dying quickly as frustrated volunteers desperately raced to save the survivors. / AFP / Marty MELVILLE (Photo credit should read MARTY MELVILLE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:MARTY MELVILLE via Getty Images)
NZEALAND-ANIMAL-WHALES(15 of35)
Volunteers guide stranded Pilot whales back out to sea during a mass stranding at Farewell Spit on February 11, 2017. \nMore than 400 whales were stranded on a New Zealand beach on February 10, with most of them dying quickly as frustrated volunteers desperately raced to save the survivors. / AFP / Marty MELVILLE (Photo credit should read MARTY MELVILLE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:MARTY MELVILLE via Getty Images)
NZEALAND-ANIMAL-WHALES(16 of35)
Volunteers guide stranded Pilot whales back out to sea during a mass stranding at Farewell Spit on February 11, 2017. \nMore than 400 whales were stranded on a New Zealand beach on February 10, with most of them dying quickly as frustrated volunteers desperately raced to save the survivors. / AFP / Marty MELVILLE (Photo credit should read MARTY MELVILLE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:MARTY MELVILLE via Getty Images)
NZEALAND-ANIMAL-WHALES(17 of35)
A volunteer pours water over the stranded Pilot whales during a mass stranding at Farewell Spit on February 11, 2017. \nMore than 400 whales were stranded on a New Zealand beach on February 10, with most of them dying quickly as frustrated volunteers desperately raced to save the survivors. / AFP / Marty MELVILLE (Photo credit should read MARTY MELVILLE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:MARTY MELVILLE via Getty Images)
NZEALAND-ANIMAL-WHALES(18 of35)
A volunteer pours water on a stranded Pilot whale during a mass stranding at Farewell Spit on February 11, 2017.\nMore than 400 whales were stranded on a New Zealand beach on February 10, with most of them dying quickly as frustrated volunteers desperately raced to save the survivors. / AFP / Marty MELVILLE (Photo credit should read MARTY MELVILLE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:MARTY MELVILLE via Getty Images)
NZEALAND-ANIMAL-WHALES(19 of35)
Volunteers pour water on a stranded Pilot whale during a mass stranding at Farewell Spit on February 11, 2017. \nMore than 400 whales were stranded on a New Zealand beach on February 10, with most of them dying quickly as frustrated volunteers desperately raced to save the survivors. / AFP / Marty MELVILLE (Photo credit should read MARTY MELVILLE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:MARTY MELVILLE via Getty Images)
NZEALAND-ANIMAL-WHALES(20 of35)
A volunteer pours water over the stranded Pilot whales during a mass stranding at Farewell Spit on February 11, 2017. \nMore than 400 whales were stranded on a New Zealand beach on February 10, with most of them dying quickly as frustrated volunteers desperately raced to save the survivors. / AFP / Marty MELVILLE (Photo credit should read MARTY MELVILLE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:MARTY MELVILLE via Getty Images)
NEWZEALAND-WHALES/(21 of35)
Some of the hundreds of stranded pilot whales marked with an \'X\' to indicate they have died can be seen together after one of the country\'s largest recorded mass whale strandings, in Golden Bay, at the top of New Zealand\'s South Island, February 10, 2017. REUTERS/Anthony Phelps (credit:Anthony Phelps / Reuters)
NEWZEALAND-WHALES/(22 of35)
Some of the hundreds of stranded pilot whales marked with an \'X\' to indicate they have died can be seen together after one of the country\'s largest recorded mass whale strandings, in Golden Bay, at the top of New Zealand\'s South Island, February 10, 2017. REUTERS/Anthony Phelps (credit:Anthony Phelps / Reuters)
NEWZEALAND-WHALES/(23 of35)
Some of the hundreds of stranded pilot whales marked with an \'X\' to indicate they have died can be seen together after one of the country\'s largest recorded mass whale strandings, in Golden Bay, at the top of New Zealand\'s South Island, February 10, 2017. REUTERS/Anthony Phelps TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY (credit:Anthony Phelps / Reuters)
NEWZEALAND-WHALES/(24 of35)
Volunteers attend to some of the hundreds of stranded pilot whales still alive after one of the country\'s largest recorded mass whale strandings, in Golden Bay, at the top of New Zealand\'s South Island, February 10, 2017. REUTERS/Anthony Phelps (credit:Anthony Phelps / Reuters)
NEWZEALAND-WHALES/(25 of35)
Volunteers attend to some of the hundreds of stranded pilot whales still alive after one of the country\'s largest recorded mass whale strandings, in Golden Bay, at the top of New Zealand\'s South Island, February 10, 2017. REUTERS/Anthony Phelps (credit:Anthony Phelps / Reuters)
NEWZEALAND-WHALES/(26 of35)
Volunteers attend to some of the hundreds of stranded pilot whales still alive after one of the country\'s largest recorded mass whale strandings, in Golden Bay, at the top of New Zealand\'s South Island, February 10, 2017. REUTERS/Anthony Phelps (credit:Anthony Phelps / Reuters)
NEWZEALAND-WHALES/(27 of35)
Volunteers attend to some of the hundreds of stranded pilot whales still alive after one of the country\'s largest recorded mass whale strandings, in Golden Bay, at the top of New Zealand\'s South Island, February 10, 2017. REUTERS/Anthony Phelps (credit:Anthony Phelps / Reuters)
NEWZEALAND-WHALES/(28 of35)
Volunteers try to guide some stranded pilot whales back out to sea after one of the country\'s largest recorded mass whale strandings, in Golden Bay, at the top of New Zealand\'s South Island, February 11, 2017. REUTERS/Anthony Phelps (credit:Anthony Phelps / Reuters)
NEWZEALAND-WHALES/(29 of35)
Volunteers try to guide some stranded pilot whales back out to sea after one of the country\'s largest recorded mass whale strandings, in Golden Bay, at the top of New Zealand\'s South Island, February 11, 2017. REUTERS/Anthony Phelps (credit:Anthony Phelps / Reuters)
NEWZEALAND-WHALES/(30 of35)
Volunteers try to guide some of the stranded pilot whales still alive back out to sea after one of the country\'s largest recorded mass whale strandings, in Golden Bay, at the top of New Zealand\'s South Island, February 11, 2017. REUTERS/Anthony Phelps (credit:Anthony Phelps / Reuters)
NEWZEALAND-WHALES/(31 of35)
Volunteers try to guide some of the stranded pilot whales still alive back out to sea after one of the country\'s largest recorded mass whale strandings, in Golden Bay, at the top of New Zealand\'s South Island, February 11, 2017. REUTERS/Anthony Phelps (credit:Anthony Phelps / Reuters)
NEWZEALAND-WHALES/(32 of35)
Volunteers try to guide some of the stranded pilot whales still alive back out to sea after one of the country\'s largest recorded mass whale strandings, in Golden Bay, at the top of New Zealand\'s South Island, February 11, 2017. REUTERS/Anthony Phelps (credit:Anthony Phelps / Reuters)
NEWZEALAND-WHALES/(33 of35)
Volunteers try to guide some of the stranded pilot whales still alive back out to sea after one of the country\'s largest recorded mass whale strandings, in Golden Bay, at the top of New Zealand\'s South Island, February 11, 2017. REUTERS/Anthony Phelps (credit:Anthony Phelps / Reuters)
NEWZEALAND-WHALES/(34 of35)
Volunteers try to guide some of the stranded pilot whales still alive back out to sea after one of the country\'s largest recorded mass whale strandings, in Golden Bay, at the top of New Zealand\'s South Island, February 11, 2017. REUTERS/Anthony Phelps (credit:Anthony Phelps / Reuters)
NEWZEALAND-WHALES/(35 of35)
Volunteers try to guide some of the stranded pilot whales still alive back out to sea after one of the country\'s largest recorded mass whale strandings, in Golden Bay, at the top of New Zealand\'s South Island, February 11, 2017. REUTERS/Anthony Phelps (credit:Anthony Phelps / Reuters)
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