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Six whales dead after mass stranding in New Zealand
Six pilot whales have died on a remote beach in New Zealand's South Island after a mass stranding, while volunteers work urgently to refloat 15 others still alive.
Stranding details and rescue efforts
Around 55 pilot whales beached on Farewell Spit on Thursday. Most returned to sea, but 15 restranded along a one-kilometer stretch of shoreline. Volunteers from marine conservation group Project Jonah are keeping the whales cool by pouring water over them.
Louisa Hawkes, a spokesperson for Project Jonah, said the team must act quickly when the tide rises. "We'll need to gather the whales into a tight group and guide them into deeper waters before the tide recedes again," she said.
Why whales strand at Farewell Spit
Farewell Spit, located at the northern tip of the South Island, is a known hotspot for whale strandings. The area's gently sloping tidal flats and rapidly falling tides can disorient whales, trapping them as they migrate.
New Zealand's Department of Conservation describes the site as a "natural whale trap." In February 2017, over 400 long-finned pilot whales stranded there-the country's largest mass stranding in over a century.
Volunteers and authorities mobilize
The conservation department has sent rangers, a boat, and a drone to monitor the situation. Volunteers are being called in to assist with the refloating effort, which is expected to take place this afternoon.
Pilot whales are highly social animals, and rescuers hope grouping the remaining whales will help them swim out together.
Time running out for stranded whales
Hawkes emphasized the urgency: "We must complete the refloating before the tide turns. If we don't, the whales could strand again."
