Niue Island Swamped by Endangered Humpback Whales

Niue Island Swamped by Endangered Humpback Whales

Auckland, September 28, 2011 – It has been an eventful whale season in Niue with people on the island being blown away by the numbers of whales in the island’s bays in recent months.

Tourism Development Manager Hayden Porter has described the waters surrounding Niue as “whale soup” due to the numbers of whales that have been seen on a regular basis from both land and sea.

“The whale season has been amazing. On many days I had to stop my car on my way home because just off the side of the road a whale gymnastics show was underway,” says Porter.

Despite their endangered status, the South Pacific Humpback Whale is a frequent visitor from July to October each year, when they arrive in Niue to calve and nurse their young in the islands’ sheltered bays and deep waters. Because Niue is an atoll, and surrounded by very deep waters, whales are able to come within 50 meters of the shore making Niue one of the only places in the world where you can whale watch from the land.

The whales are most frequently seen on the west coast of the island, with one resort – The Matavai, reporting whale sightings from their restaurant deck on an almost daily basis.

“Resort guests are always amazed that they can enjoy their dinner while watching the whales,” says Porter.

The Matavai Resort recently held a free ‘Whale Tales’ presentation which was hosted by Marine Mammal Biologist Olive Andrews of the South Pacific Whale Research Consortium. The presentation was attended by locals and visitors who were eager to learn about the endangered South Pacific Humpback Whales which visit Niue’s waters.

“Visitors who come to Niue are always very moved by their whale encounters so it was great to have a presentation where they could learn more about these special animals and the importance of their preservation,” says Porter.

Olive Andrews and her research team from Whales Alive have been in Niue collecting research on the whales including photographs, skin samples and whale song recordings which will help them in their ongoing conservation efforts of these amazing mammals.

As well as having some of the best land based whale watching opportunities in the world, Niue is also one of only three places in the world where visitors can swim with them giving visitors to the island the opportunity to observe these gentle giants in their natural habitat.

“This season has been one out of the box” says Porter.

It appears however, the whales have now continued on their journey south, so we look forward to welcoming them back again next year and hope the numbers are as extreme as we have seen this season.”

Niue’s whales are a big attraction, but the island’s clear, deep waters also make it an incredible diving, snorkeling and fishing destination.

www.niueisland.com

ENDS

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