Volunteers stood down by 10pm but promised to be back at first light, alongside Department of Conservation staff.
Photo: Supplied / Project Jonah New Zealand
More than 50 pilot whales are stranded on Farewell Spit, Golden Bay, prompting a large-scale rescue effort.
Rescue Efforts Paused as Darkness Falls on Stranded Whales
Volunteers and conservation staff are working to assist the pod of whales, but operations were temporarily halted at 10 p.m. local time.
- Project Jonah New Zealand was alerted to the situation early Thursday afternoon.
- 53 pilot whales have stranded across two locations on Farewell Spit.
- Volunteers worked throughout the afternoon to keep the whales cool and upright.
- Efforts will resume at first light alongside the Department of Conservation.
Project Jonah New Zealand received notification of a pod of whales swimming in the shallows and heading toward Farewell Spit on Thursday afternoon. Despite the best efforts of local medics, Department of Conservation staff, and boat crews from Manawhenua Ki Mohua, 53 pilot whales became stranded across two sites on the spit, according to a Facebook post from the organization.
Volunteers worked to keep the whales cool throughout the afternoon and uprighted those they could.
Photo: Supplied / Project Jonah New Zealand
Throughout the afternoon, crews focused on keeping the whales cool and attempting to right those that had capsized. Volunteers were initially sought to assist with the rescue into the evening, and were encouraged to wear wetsuits due to the windy and exposed conditions. Participants were asked to bring their own supplies, as the location is remote.
Farewell Spit, located at the top of the South Island, is known as a “whale trap,” according to the Department of Conservation. The spit’s unique geography—hooking around the northern entrance to Golden Bay and featuring extensive sand flats with gently sloping waters—can deceive whales, particularly long-finned pilot whales during their migratory routes. The department explained that pilot whales exhibit strong social bonds, and if one member of the pod enters shallow water, the others will follow.
More than 50 pilot whales have stranded across two sites on Farewell Spit.
Photo: Supplied / Project Jonah
Volunteers stood down at 10 p.m. local time, but Project Jonah confirmed they will return at first light alongside the Department of Conservation to continue searching the beach for any remaining whales.
