Kaikoura - 180km, 2.5 hour drive north of Christchurch, New Zealand is home of sperm whale watching, dolphin swimming, fur seal colony visiting, trout and salmon fishing, and amazing costal walks.
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Kaikoura is one of the few places in the world where Sperm Whales can be seen year-round and close to shore because the 3km deep Kaikoura Canyon runs right up against the coast creating a rare system of sea currents that sustain an incredibly rich marine food chain.
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Sperm whales 'click' to communicate. By listening to these clicks using a hydrophone the staff of Whale Watch boat can determine whether a whale or whales are around.
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sperm whale surfacing
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You can spot the sperm whales by boat or helicopter.
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Sperm Whales are the biggest of the toothed whales and the world's largest predator. They are equivalent in size to four elephants.
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Each of sperm whale's teeth can weigh more than a kilogram and grow to 20cm long.
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sperm whale - length: 18.5 metres, weight: 57 tonnes. lives for over 60 years.
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A whale rises from water for a short breath which takes less than 10 seconds. So be quick with your camera.
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Going under and deep-diving (up to 3 km) whale may stay submerged for over two hours while hunting Giant Squid.
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Kaikoura is also one of the best reasonably accessible places in the world to see open ocean seabirds such as albatrosses, petrel, prion and shearwater.
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The fur seal colony is viewed from the tophill of coastal walk.
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Don't disturb me while sleeping!
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Fur seals with pups can be seen up close at the seal colony at Point Keen on the Kaikoura Peninsula.
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Fur seal ('kekeno' in Maori language) is found around the coast of the South Island of New Zealand, and the south coast of Australia.
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These ful seals were widely hunted from shortly after the European discovery of New Zealand until the late 19th Century. Fur Seal is now protected in New Zealand.
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Never get between the seal and its access to water.
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You certainly spot thousands of fur seals in the Kaikoura Peninsula.
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Do not feed the seals dead fish and high energy human food which disrupts their natural diet - that's what you can help when you observe ful seals.
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Large sharks and killer whales are the main predators of seals.
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Human disturbance and activity are the causes of most threats to fur seals today.
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seals and seagulls get along well
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Fur seals have large teeth, and can become aggressive. They also move surprisingly fast on land. Fur seals can bite with up to 2 tonnes per cm pressure.
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Stay on established tracks and keep your distance from wildlife - we need to follow the New Zealand Environment Care Code.
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Amelia is TOUCHING a seal's nose?! NO! Use a zoom lens or adjust your shooting position instead.
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make a good pose
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Am I cute?
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Kaikoura Peninsula is a perfect outdoor classroom for high school students to learn about the New Zealand wildlife.
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The Maori name 'Kaikoura' translates to 'meal of crayfish' ('kai'- food/meal, 'koura' - crayfish) and the crayfish industry still plays a role in the economy of the region.
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Sperm Whale Cafe in Kaikoura town.
Maori considered whales as kaitiaki (guardians), and used their flesh for food and their hard, strong bones for weapons. |
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How cute these wildlife! I love them! I hope I can visit them when I have a chance. I learnt so many wonderful things from 2ways photoblog even though I haven't travelled around New Zealand.
shine yule · 2008-05-11: 06:05
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Thanks for the great photos and information. It has helped me on my school project.
????? · 2009-11-01: 13:02
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