Stunning Images capture Whale Strandings

Stunning Images that capture the pathos and power of Whale Strandings

The powerful and poignant images that document the 2004 Whatipu whale standings are bought to public attention through Jan Young’s photographic exhibition Whale Strandings, opening at the Auckland Museum on July 13.

The exhibition is a series of striking black and white photographs of whales that were stranded on the west coast shore line. The first whale, which Young captured on film was a live stranding but was unable to be rescued due to its massive size (approximately 40 tonne). The second was discovered already dead. Whale Stranding captures both of these events on film, including the jaw bone removal (on behalf of local Iwi) and subsequent burial by D.O.C staff. The exhibition also includes colour images of a beached Cuvier beaked whale.

Whale strandings are still a largely unexplained phenomenom, however the frequency with which they occur follows a predicable pattern. Research shows that strandings occur in 10 to 12 year cycles. This cycle was realised in New Zealand in 2004, with numerous large whale becoming beached on our shores. Jan Young’s images capture the beauty and sadness of the strandings, she feels “privileged to be able to record the unfortunate plight of these massive marine mammals and the subsequent rescue (or burial) efforts”. Young hopes that her images will help raise awareness about New Zealand’s unique marine environment.

Pictorial Gallery
13th July – 18th August, 2007
FREE with entry donation

For more info visit the news and media section of the website www.aucklandmuseum.com

ENDS

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