ボランティアたちがまだ息のある打ち上がったゴンドウクジラを海に戻そうとしている様子（写真奥）。記録に残っている中ではニュージーランド史上最悪規模のクジラの大量打ち上げとなった。南島北部のゴールデン湾。2017年2月11日。
ニュージーランド南島北部、ゴールデン湾のフェアウェル・スピット海岸で2月9日ごろからゴンドウクジラが相次いで浅瀬に打ち上げられ、総数は12日までに600頭以上となった。これは記録に残っている19世紀以降、ニュージーランドで2番目の規模となった。
政府の保護局関係者と数百人のボランティアの努力でおよそ200頭が海に帰ることができたが、250頭以上が死亡した。今後はクジラが腐敗して体内にガスが充満し、爆発する恐れがあるため処分作業が始まる。
ニュージーランド当局がゴールデン湾に打ちあがった600頭以上のクジラの処分を開始
ニュージーランド海岸で「爆発の恐れがある」クジラの死骸が何百体も出たため、「立ち入り禁止」令が出される
これからはクジラの死骸から「風船のように」ガスを抜く様子。身の毛がよだつ処分作業が始まる。
救出作戦は現在処分作業へと移っている。ニュージーランド自然保護局が死んだクジラに穴をあけ、爆発を防ぐため「風船のように」ガス抜きをしている。
オーストラリアABCによると、作業員たちは長さ2メートルのモリを使い、クジラの死骸内部に充満したガスを抜く、気の滅入る作業をしいるという。
「現場は今一般人立ち入り禁止です。クジラの死骸が爆発する恐れがあります」と、環境保護局は声明で警告した。
現場が元通りになるには相当時間がかかると見られている。クジラの死骸が分解して骨格だけになるには、何カ月もの時間を要するからだ。
ニュージーランドでおよそ200頭のクジラが浜辺に打ち上がり、海に戻す救助活動が行われています。リア・チャッターがレポート
大量打ち上げはフェアウェル・スピット海岸では珍しいことではない。海岸が遠浅になっており、クジラが音波で周囲を探知するのが困難になる「天然の罠」になっていることが理由だと考えられている。
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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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