Auckland, Jan 9: At least fifteen whales have restranded at Farewell Spit on New Zealand’s South Island, with six confirmed dead, conservation group Project Jonah said on Thursday, highlighting the ongoing challenges of rescue efforts in one of the world’s most notorious whale stranding zones.
The latest incident follows a mass stranding a day earlier, when 55 whales were found beached at two separate locations along the 26-kilometre sandbar. Most of those animals were successfully guided back to deeper waters, but a number later became trapped again along the high-tide line.
Project Jonah said volunteers and marine experts are working against time to stabilise the surviving whales ahead of the next high tide, keeping them cool and reducing stress while conditions allow for another refloating attempt.
“These whales have restranded along the high-tide line, which adds to the complexity of the refloat,” the group said in a statement, noting that shifting tides and shallow waters are complicating rescue operations.
Teams are also conducting patrols across beaches in Golden Bay to check for additional stranded animals. Authorities have warned that Farewell Spit’s remote location and lack of facilities make rescue efforts physically demanding, urging volunteers travelling to the area to carry sufficient food, water and essential supplies.
Farewell Spit has witnessed repeated whale strandings over the decades, a phenomenon scientists link to its shallow waters, curved coastline and complex tidal patterns, which can disorient large marine mammals.
Conservation groups said further rescue attempts will depend on favourable weather and tidal conditions over the coming hours.
