Latest news with #ORRCA
ABC News
3 hours ago
- General
- ABC News
Humpback whale entangled in rope, trailing a buoy spotted south off Sydney Harbour
Whale rescue teams are poised to assist a "distressed" humpback whale entangled in rope and trailing a buoy that has been sighted just south of Sydney Harbour. The adult humpback is travelling south, which is in the opposite direction to what it should be during what is the official whale migration season. "It's entangled with rope on its left pectoral fin, and is trailing rope and a light coloured, almost white buoy which is about 20 metres behind it," Jessica Fox, Vice President of the Organisation for Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia (ORRCA) told the ABC. Ms Fox said the National Parks and Wildlife Service Large Whale Disentanglement Team was currently on stand-by to help the whale if conditions and time allowed today. "Unfortunately, it is getting a bit late in the day now so we're really hoping some sightings come through quickly now. It was last seen about 2pm around South Head on Sunday afternoon. "Humpback whales would usually all be still heading north this time of year in June," Ms Fox said. "This is very unusual to see it travelling south so early in the season, and this is why we think this whale is in distress and it's turning around and heading back to the Great Southern Ocean." She said the north-bound travel was part of their migration. "They head up the east coast of Australia from the Great Southern Ocean where their feeding grounds are and they head up to warmer waters either to birth, or to meet up with friends and mate. "Given that it is travelling south means to us that it may be in distress. She added that it was unclear where the whale became entangled in the rope. "We're unsure where the buoy has come from. It may have picked it up anywhere, the first sighting of the whale was on Saturday." ORCCA said it was an adult humpback whale, but they were unclear of the sex or age. Specially trained whale experts have been reviewing footage of the whale supplied by ORCCA and members of the public. Ms Fox said once the whale was located, the whale rescue team would work out what formation their boats need to be in to safely snag the rope and cut it off. "But it is done in a really methodical and focused and specific way for the safety for both the humans and whales involved." People are urged to ring the whale rescue hotline on 02 9415 3333 if they spot the whale.
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Climate
- The Advertiser
Trashed national parks and camp sites are off limits until further notice
Myall Lakes National Park will remain closed for at least a month due to damage sustained from last month's wild weather. Severe erosion and flooding throughout much of the area, in addition to damage to infrastructure, have made much of the area inaccessible. A National Parks and Wildlife Service spokesman said it was too soon to know when the park would reopen. "It's too soon to know how long it will take to reopen it, but we want to get it open as soon as possible," he said. It is among a number of parks and campsites across the Hunter that are likely to remain closed over the long weekend due to flooding, plus the possibility that strong winds will cause more damage. Park closures in the Hunter include: For existing campground bookings affected by severe weather, NPWS has notified customers and provided full refunds. If you find an animal injured, in distress, disoriented, heavily waterlogged, or in an unexpected location, you should seek advice from a trained wildlife rescuer or vet via the IFAW Wildlife Rescue app. Do not put yourself or others in danger attempting to rescue wildlife. To report a stranded, injured or entangled whale, dolphin, seal or other marine mammal, please contact the ORRCA rescue hotline on 02 9415 3333 or the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service on 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS). Those in flood-affected areas are urged to remain vigilant and check the NSW State Emergency Service website for regular updates via or the Hazards Near Me app. For assistance during floods and storms, call the NSW SES on 132 500 or Triple Zero (000) for life-threatening emergencies. Myall Lakes National Park will remain closed for at least a month due to damage sustained from last month's wild weather. Severe erosion and flooding throughout much of the area, in addition to damage to infrastructure, have made much of the area inaccessible. A National Parks and Wildlife Service spokesman said it was too soon to know when the park would reopen. "It's too soon to know how long it will take to reopen it, but we want to get it open as soon as possible," he said. It is among a number of parks and campsites across the Hunter that are likely to remain closed over the long weekend due to flooding, plus the possibility that strong winds will cause more damage. Park closures in the Hunter include: For existing campground bookings affected by severe weather, NPWS has notified customers and provided full refunds. If you find an animal injured, in distress, disoriented, heavily waterlogged, or in an unexpected location, you should seek advice from a trained wildlife rescuer or vet via the IFAW Wildlife Rescue app. Do not put yourself or others in danger attempting to rescue wildlife. To report a stranded, injured or entangled whale, dolphin, seal or other marine mammal, please contact the ORRCA rescue hotline on 02 9415 3333 or the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service on 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS). Those in flood-affected areas are urged to remain vigilant and check the NSW State Emergency Service website for regular updates via or the Hazards Near Me app. For assistance during floods and storms, call the NSW SES on 132 500 or Triple Zero (000) for life-threatening emergencies. Myall Lakes National Park will remain closed for at least a month due to damage sustained from last month's wild weather. Severe erosion and flooding throughout much of the area, in addition to damage to infrastructure, have made much of the area inaccessible. A National Parks and Wildlife Service spokesman said it was too soon to know when the park would reopen. "It's too soon to know how long it will take to reopen it, but we want to get it open as soon as possible," he said. It is among a number of parks and campsites across the Hunter that are likely to remain closed over the long weekend due to flooding, plus the possibility that strong winds will cause more damage. Park closures in the Hunter include: For existing campground bookings affected by severe weather, NPWS has notified customers and provided full refunds. If you find an animal injured, in distress, disoriented, heavily waterlogged, or in an unexpected location, you should seek advice from a trained wildlife rescuer or vet via the IFAW Wildlife Rescue app. Do not put yourself or others in danger attempting to rescue wildlife. To report a stranded, injured or entangled whale, dolphin, seal or other marine mammal, please contact the ORRCA rescue hotline on 02 9415 3333 or the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service on 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS). Those in flood-affected areas are urged to remain vigilant and check the NSW State Emergency Service website for regular updates via or the Hazards Near Me app. For assistance during floods and storms, call the NSW SES on 132 500 or Triple Zero (000) for life-threatening emergencies. Myall Lakes National Park will remain closed for at least a month due to damage sustained from last month's wild weather. Severe erosion and flooding throughout much of the area, in addition to damage to infrastructure, have made much of the area inaccessible. A National Parks and Wildlife Service spokesman said it was too soon to know when the park would reopen. "It's too soon to know how long it will take to reopen it, but we want to get it open as soon as possible," he said. It is among a number of parks and campsites across the Hunter that are likely to remain closed over the long weekend due to flooding, plus the possibility that strong winds will cause more damage. Park closures in the Hunter include: For existing campground bookings affected by severe weather, NPWS has notified customers and provided full refunds. If you find an animal injured, in distress, disoriented, heavily waterlogged, or in an unexpected location, you should seek advice from a trained wildlife rescuer or vet via the IFAW Wildlife Rescue app. Do not put yourself or others in danger attempting to rescue wildlife. To report a stranded, injured or entangled whale, dolphin, seal or other marine mammal, please contact the ORRCA rescue hotline on 02 9415 3333 or the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service on 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS). Those in flood-affected areas are urged to remain vigilant and check the NSW State Emergency Service website for regular updates via or the Hazards Near Me app. For assistance during floods and storms, call the NSW SES on 132 500 or Triple Zero (000) for life-threatening emergencies.
Hindustan Times
19-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Bengaluru heavy rainfall: Employees demand work-from-home as civic conditions make commute a nightmare
As Bengaluru continues to reel under the impact of relentless rains and poor civic preparedness, a growing chorus of voices from the city's vast IT workforce is calling for mandatory work-from-home (WFH) policies during extreme weather days. Also Read - 'Not a new problem for Bengaluru': DK Shivakumar vows long-term fixes as rains cripple city Navigating through flooded streets, traffic gridlocks, and disrupted public transport has turned the daily office commute into a nightmare, especially for those working in tech corridors like Outer Ring Road and Manyata Tech Park, which were among the worst affected on Monday. Parts of Manyata Tech Park were submerged under over two feet of water, halting vehicle movement and leaving several employees stranded. Taking to social media, frustrated tech workers have urged industry bodies and employers to consider declaring remote work on days when the city is battered by heavy downpours. 'Bengaluru IT folks end up working more than 70 hours a week during monsoon—not because of office hours, but because of the sheer effort it takes to get there,' one user posted, tagging the Outer Ring Road Companies Association (ORRCA). 'Why can't there be a city-wide work-from-home mandate on rainy days?' Another user questioned the rationale of forcing employees into offices amidst flooded roads: 'It's water everywhere. And yet, IT companies are pushing for full-time office. How does this make sense when people are risking their lives commuting through flooded stretches just to sit at a desk they could easily operate from home?' Several users shared similar sentiments, emphasizing that a proactive WFH policy during weather emergencies would ease pressure on the city's already strained infrastructure and reduce traffic congestion, allowing emergency services to operate more freely. Also Read - 'Not a new problem for Bengaluru': DK Shivakumar vows long-term fixes as rains cripple city 'Declare WFH today. Maybe the situation improves tomorrow—only if it stops raining,' one techie suggested in a widely circulated post. One particularly sarcastic comment captured the city's current mood: 'Try going to the office—Bengaluru rains will stop you. Try working from home—Bengaluru's weather will cut your Wi-Fi. #AmazeRoads #AmazeWeather.' As the conversation grows louder online, civic and corporate leaders are now under pressure to reconsider rigid return-to-office mandates. Many employees argue that flexible working conditions, especially during monsoon months, are not just convenient but a necessity in a city whose infrastructure is routinely overwhelmed by rain.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Warning after 'unusual sightseer' in harbour prompts calls from worried Aussies
Footage of an 'unusual sightseer' who joined revellers in Sydney Harbour over the weekend has triggered a warning to Aussies as whales begin their migration along the coastline in the weeks ahead. Locals out on their boats, jet skis and kayaks were stunned to see the young humpback, estimated to be between almost five-metres-long, swimming between moored yachts near Little Manly around 7.30am on Saturday. The site prompted 15 calls to ORRCA, a spokesperson for the volunteer rescue group told Yahoo News Australia on Monday. While whales are not seen frequently in the area, it is normal behaviour for humpback and southern right whales to enter harbours for a quick explore or to take a break from their long journey north. 'It's probably just come in for a bit of a rest, a bit of adventure,' the spokesperson told Yahoo. However, the whale's stop-off wasn't as relaxing as it had probably hoped. After being approached by curious people on jet skis and kayakers enjoying their morning paddle, the animal 'unfortunately became distressed'. 'The whale was heard vocalising and seen tail slapping and peduncle throwing in a warning to those getting too close, creating quite the spectacle for onlookers,' ORRCA said online. 'This sort of behaviour was dangerous for both the whale, humans and moored, unattended vessels as all were in close.' Thankfully, after the young humpback whale travelled towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge, it turned around and exited around 9am. 🐬 Aussie dad and son's incredible encounter while fishing 5km off coast 🛥️ Tourists witness brutal event as whales 'change their behaviour' in seconds 🐋 Boat skipper's incredible encounter stuns Aussies: 'Right place, right time' There are strict rules in place around the country to ensure the safety of marine mammals and people, especially during the whale migration season which runs from May to November. In NSW, boats and paddlecrafts must maintain a safe distance of 100 metres from whales. This increases to 300 metres if a calf is also present. Jet skiers must always maintain a distance of 300 metres from whales, dolphins and dugongs. 'A personal watercraft (PWC) can make fast and erratic movements and less noise underwater than other vessels,' the NSW Government states online. 'This means PWC are more likely to collide with a marine mammal.' Breaching these regulations can result in significant penalties, with individuals facing on-the-spot fines of $1,320. Commercial operators such a whale watching tours can be fined $3,300. In Victoria, boats must stay at least 200 metres away from whales, while jet skis are required to keep a 300 metre distance or face penalties of up to $3,698. People can be fined a maximum of $25,542 in Queensland for being in the no-approach zone, DES says on their website. Anyone who encounters a whale while out on the water in NSW should keep their distance, 'adhere to the exclusion zone' and contact ORRCA. 'That way we can get our members to make sure the whale is okay, and we can support NSW Parks and Wildlife with whatever they need done to make sure that the animal is safe,' the group's spokesperson told Yahoo. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
