Yesterday we took part in course run by ORRCA the Organistion for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia. It was a day long course with around 25 attendees. It was great to see a range of people there with different ages and backgrounds all sharing a passion to want to protect some of the most amazing animals on the planet. There was a large group for Sea Shepard along with people from other conservation groups such as Stop the Shark Cull, Save Marine Life and Ban Balloons Freo.
First we listened to a lecture informing us on all the cetaceans in Australia along with the theory on how to save them. Interestingly the most important thing to consider with a standing is keeping the animal as calm and stress free as possible. Alot of techniques use the knowledge of mob mentality when trying to save the animals. For example, the dominate leader (usually the largest female) is always re-floated first in order the draw the other animals away from the beach We also learnt health and safety aspects, how to deal with the media at standings and the legislation in place.
After a lunch break it was time to put the theory into practice. We all kitted up in our wetsuits and hit the beach whera some tasks had been set up for us. Firstly as a group we have to organise ourselves into teams and save 4 beached animals, in this case 2 large females and 2 baby dolphins in the form of blow up swimming pool toys. We had to ensure the "animals" were stress free, keep wet and positioned the right way. Despite the strange looks from onlookers it was fun and we manage to do it pretty well although it took us 15mintues to find one baby which was half way down the beach!
Next was time to practice using the whale and dolphin slings. I had a turn being a whale and was picked up and release successfully back into the ocean. It was fun day and we were awarded with a card and certificate. We are now part of the ORRCA team, in the case of a stranding we will be contacted and activated to help save the animals.
Thanks to the ORRCA crew and the rest of the team!
http://www.orrca.org.au/
(more photos to come)
