Epilogue: The Hoff back with the pod

 

 

JULIA WADE

The plight of stranded false killer whale ‘The Hoff’ has been recorded by whale watch organisation Far Out Ocean Research Collective, who happily report the mammal is doing well. 

Marine biologist Jochen Zaeschmar, founder of ‘Far Out’ and initiator of the New Zealand false killer whale research programme, has been monitoring Hoff’s pod for 15 years, and on April 8, at time of writing, was watching them frolic in the waters around Smugglers Cove at Whangarei Heads. 

“We finally found Hoff today, he’s been swimming right along the boat and looks pretty happy,” he says. “He has quite a few notches on his dorsal fin which is how we identified him, he’s a mature male because he has a big nose but is not fully grown, and is about 20 years old – they live till they’re 60 so he’s still fairly young.”

False killer whales are not a well-known species and New Zealand has a small population, habituating the North Island coast from December to May, traversing between the east to north cape and favouring the waters around Hauraki Gulf, Little Barrier and Hen & Chick islands. 

“Last week they were cruising along Pakiri Beach in 30 metre waters. For six months they stay close to these shores then they go away, we don’t know where to but the same individuals come back every year.”

The pod of approximately 150 whales was feeding on schnapper close to Tara Iti’s shores when the Hoff got out of his depth possibly due to the whale not being familiar with the contours of the coastal waters, Zaeschmar says. 

“The Hoff is one of two males that has been with the group since January, so fairly new, and probably chased the fish into the shallow coastal waters which he isn’t used to, whereas the others are regulars and accustomed to them.” 

Although false killer whales are large, growing to a length of six metres and weighing up to two tons, their dorsal fins are similar to a dolphins and they are often mistaken for the smaller mammals, especially as the two species have a long-time association and often travel together. The north island pod also starred in the BBC’s ‘The Blue Planet II’ series.

Over the years of following the pod, Zaeschmar’s collected research has been an important contribution to expanding awareness of the little-known species. 

“You get to know them pretty well, we’re seeing the third generation now so we know who the mothers and grandmothers are,” Zaeschmar says. “I’m not sure if they know me though, but they do recognise the boat and swim over, often to blow bubbles at me. They are a tight-knit family group, and as there is only 150, each one is very important.” 

 Far Out are keen to hear from anyone who encounters the false killer whale pod. If spotted please contact Jochan Zaeschmar on the hotline 0800 FAR OUT (0800 327 688), info@farout.org.nz or visit farout.org.nz

The stranded whale, now safe, frolics in the waters around Smugglers Cove at Whangarei Heads. PHOTO/SUPPLIED