A group of over 30 pilot whales was rescued after stranding on Ruakākā Beach, located in northern New Zealand, last Sunday. According to the Department of Conservation (DOC), most of the animals were successfully refloated and returned to the sea, although three adults and a calf sadly did not survive. No additional strandings were reported overnight.
The rescue effort was led by the local Māori group Patuharakeke, with support from authorities and volunteers who came together to save the whales. Whale strandings are natural phenomena that continue to puzzle scientists, and New Zealand is among the countries with the highest number of such events worldwide.
To refloat the whales, the teams carefully used sheets to lift them. Members of Patuharakeke stayed on the beach overnight to monitor the situation and ensure that none of the rescued animals stranded again.
The DOC, responsible for coordinating marine mammal rescues in the country, described the operation as a remarkable display of unity. “It’s heartwarming to see the genuine care and compassion people have shown for these magnificent creatures,” said Joel Lauterbach, the department’s operations manager.
He extended his gratitude to everyone involved in the rescue, including the Patuharakeke group, Project Jonah – an organization specializing in stranded marine mammal assistance – and the hundreds of volunteers who participated in the effort.
Whale and dolphin strandings are relatively common in New Zealand. The DOC responds to approximately 85 incidents per year, most involving single animals.
This operation serves as yet another example of the collective effort and special connection New Zealanders have with marine life.
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