Sea World practices rescuing stranded whales with purpose-built ‘dummy’ on Wave Break Island
A PURPOSE built ‘dummy whale’ was stranded on Wave Break Island today as part of a whale rescue raining exercise.
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A PURPOSE built ‘dummy whale’ was stranded on Wave Break Island today as part of a whale rescue raining exercise.
Sea World marine rescue staff teamed up with Department of Environment and Heritage Protection and National Parks and Wildlife workers to perform the specialist whale stranding exercises.
The training involved Sea World boats towing the whale to Wave Break island and rescue teams covering various rescue techniques such as health checks, correct use of equipment and how to attach the specially designed towing harness.
YOUNG STRANDED WHALE FREED OFF PALM BEACH
It comes after Sea World crews rescued a juvenile Humpback whale stranded at Palm Beach earlier this year.
Sea World director of marine sciences Trevor Long said the training exercises are vital to ensure teams are prepared for whale stranding and entanglements.
“It is great to be able to practice these exercises with agencies that play such an integral role in these rescues,” Mr Long said.
“With more than 20,000 whales travelling past the Gold Coast on their annual migration journey, it is likely that additional animals may become entrapped or stranded, which is why this training is so important.”
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