More whales have restranded in Golden Bay, as a team of volunteers work to refloat them.
Thirty-seven long-finned pilot whales stranded on Farewell Spit yesterday afternoon, Project Jonah said. Two had died by about 6.20pm yesterday, the Department of Conservation said.
In an update earlier this morning, the marine mammal rescue charity said on its Facebook page that the whales had restranded.
“Another six have passed away,” the post said, and one whale had to be euthanised “due to poor condition”.
“The whales have restranded further out so will have water around them mid-morning before high tide.”
The whales were refloated just before high tide at 12.05pm, the charity said just before noon today.
But in a 4.30pm update, the marine mammal rescue charity said the whales had again restranded.
“Despite the whales having water deep enough for them to swim in for a number of hours, they have restranded and are spread along the beach,” Project Jonah said.
“Volunteers are continuing to care for the whales but conditions are more challenging with a strong southerly winds.
“If you have a wetsuit and can arrive self-sufficient i.e. own water, food, etc. we will be on the beach until sunset and welcome your help.”
Department of Conservation operations manager at Tākaka, Ross Trotter, said 24 long-finned pilot whales of mixed ages were still alive as of this morning.
The spit was a site where pilot whales typically stranded, Project Jonah’s Daren Grover earlier told 1News.
Those wanting to help were advised to read the information on the Project Jonah website.
