3 November 2011

Project Jonah Whale Rescue Training Season Kicks Off

Ever wondered what it’s like to get close to a whale, or help save a life? Now’s your chance.

While you’re warming up for summer and getting ready to hit the beach, we’re gearing up for our busiest time of year.

For us, summer marks the start of peak stranding season.

Each year whales and dolphins strand on our shores, and while some are sick or injured, others are healthy and just need a helping hand back out to sea.

“Saving whales isn’t as easy as it looks, a stranding site can be a dangerous place and people can sometimes make mistakes,” says Project Jonah CEO, Kimberly Muncaster.

“It's important that people understand the complexity of strandings, why they happen, and what they can do to help.”

At Project Jonah we’re already on standby, poised for stranding emergencies. But we’re also out there training everyday Kiwis so they can help out when it counts.

Project Jonah has ma national network of more than 1200 Marine Mammal Medics, and so far this season we’ve already trained 115 new recruits across the country.

It’s encouraging to see our courses filling up so fast and such a wide range of people choosing to learn these new skills.

We still have a number of courses scheduled around the country so if you haven’t already signed up it’s not too late.

Saturday, 12 Nov 2011 | Wellington
Sunday, 20 Nov 2011 | Nelson
Saturday, 3 Dec 2011 | Whitianga
Saturday, 18 Feb 2012 | Auckland
Saturday, 24 Mar 2012 | Tauranga

Click here to check out locations and dates, and book yourself a place.

For further information:

Website: www.projectjonah.org.nz
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/projectjonah

Project Jonah has been actively saving stranded whales for more than 25 years. It works closely with the Department of Conservation, the government agency responsible for managing strandings in New Zealand and relies solely on volunteers and donations to carry out its rescue and education work.

ENDS

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