There has been a whale stranding at Farewell Spit in Golden Bay, with a refloating attempt to be made this afternoon.
According to the Department of Conservation, 10 pilot whales stranded last night.
Eight were found alive this morning.
“We aim to refloat the surviving eight at high tide on Wednesday afternoon,” DOC Takaka Operations Manager Ross Trotter said.
“We have plenty of volunteers to help keep the whales cool so do not need people to come and help at this stage. Conditions are cool with some rain which is good for the stranded whales.
“The whales are showing signs of having been sunburned and healed over, so they may have beached elsewhere in the last few weeks.”
According to a Facebook post by Project Jonah New Zealand, a separate group of five whales were also found dead on the ocean side of the spit.
Project Jonah said Manawhenua ki Mohua have performed karakia for the deceased whales.
Its medics were working alongside DOC rangers and some volunteers to “meet the immediate needs” of the eight whales still alive.
“Conditions are good for stranded whales, with cool conditions and rain. Not so good for people though.”
“At this time we do not need members of the public to assist.”
