Efforts to refloat nearly 40 long-finned pilot whales stranded on Farewell Spit continued on Tuesday, with some progress made as the animals moved into deeper water.
Thirteen whales have died since the initial stranding, despite rescue efforts led by the Department of Conservation (DOC), Project Jonah, and local volunteers.
The stranding was first reported on Monday.
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At daybreak, 24 of the 37 long-finned pilot whales which stranded at Farewell Spit were still alive.
Most were in relatively good condition and teams from DOC and Project Jonah got them ready for a refloat on the incoming tide, a DOC spokesman said.
At high-tide (noon) the whales were in about 1.5m of water.
“They did not appear to want to go anywhere straight away which is quite normal for refloated whales.
Once they start to move, our plan is to follow them out with the tide and hopefully get them to open sea without re-stranding before they are clear of the spit.”
