Whale stranding in New Zealand

This is part of a series of strandings at the same place. Each time whales die and more whales return to the same place.

Whales again stranding at Farewell Spit

The Department of Conservation says pilot whales refloated on Sunday afternoon have now restranded themselves on the base of Farewell Spit.

Pilot whales stranded on Farewell Spit early Sunday morning.

Photo: Project Jonah

Radio NZ,

19 January, 2014 


It is unclear how many of the 50 whales that made it into deep water have gone back to shore.

The department says the whales began to beach at about 4.30pm.

Earlier on Sunday afternoon, the department had attempted to refloat the pod of 62. At that stage two whales died in the attempt, while 10 did not follow the main group out to sea and ended up back along the Spit Coast.

DoC says of those 10, two died, and eight were euthanased, while nine whales died earlier on Sunday.

On Saturday 40 whales were found at the beach and despite attempts by volunteers they all either died or beached again overnight.