Overview
- About 50–55 long-finned pilot whales stranded on Thursday at Farewell Spit on New Zealand’s South Island.
- Fifteen whales that were refloated later restranded overnight for a third time and are showing signs of fatigue.
- Six whales have died, according to officials and rescue groups on the scene.
- Project Jonah and the Department of Conservation are coordinating efforts with rangers, a boat and a drone, while limiting volunteer numbers to reduce stress on the animals.
- Teams aim to reunite the remaining whales into a tight group and guide them into deeper water during the next suitable high tide, leveraging the species’ strong social bonds.