Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand abstracts
Observations of live Gray’s beaked whales (Mesoplodon grayi)
in Mahurangi Harbour, North Island, New Zealand, with a summary of
at-sea sightings
Merel L. Dalebout*
Kirsty G. Russell
School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland,
Private Bag 92 019, Auckland, New Zealand.
Murray J. Little
8 Mera Road, Algies Bay, Warkworth, New Zealand.
Paul Ensor
Governors Bay, Lyttelton RD1, New Zealand.
*Present address: Biology Department, Dalhousie University,
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 4J1. Email: dalebout@dal.ca
Abstract A pair of free-swimming Gray’s beaked
whales, Mesoplodon grayi, an adult female and a calf,
were observed in Mahurangi Harbour, near Warkworth, on the North Island
of New Zealand, over 5 consecutive days in June 2001. Beaked whales
(family Ziphiidae) are seldom seen at sea due to their oceanic
distribution, deep diving ability, elusive behaviour, and possible low
abundance. Gray’s beaked whale is the most common beaked whale species
to strand in New Zealand but observations of live animals in these
waters are rare. Colour pattern and behaviour of these little known
cetaceans are described. Although both animals appeared to be in good
condition, the adult female had a series of deep corrugated scars
behind her dorsal fin, likely the result of a ship strike. Other at-sea
sightings of this species from International Whaling Commission
(IWC)—International Decade of Cetacean Research (IDCR) minke whale
assessment cruises and IWC—Southern Ocean Whale and Ecosystem Research
(SOWER) circumpolar cruises are summarised. A cluster of sightings to
the south-west of the Chatham Islands may indicate the existence of a
“hotspot” for M. grayi in the New Zealand region.
Keywords Mesoplodon grayi; Ziphiidae;
colour pattern; behaviour; ship strike; New Zealand; Chatham Islands
R03012; Received 31 October 2004; accepted 1 November 2004; Online
publication date 6 December 2004
Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand Volume 34, Number 4,
December, 2004, pp 347–356
PDF file of entire paper: Print-quality
(1336K) | screen-quality (657K)
This year's abstracts |
Journal home page |
All abstracts |
Publishing home page
