Big effort for whales

DOC

WHALE RESCUE: One of the pilot whales that stranded at Karikari Beach is refloated at nearby Matai Bay.

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Bay Chronicle

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A WHALE stranding at Doubtless Bay last week was the largest in New Zealand in years.

The pod of 58 pilot whales were found stranded at Karikari Beach on Friday.

Attempts to refloat 13 survivors at Matai Bay on Saturday resulted in nine swimming out to sea. Four that tried to restrand or had difficulties swimming were euthanised.

The last big stranding of pilot whales in New Zealand was in 2006 when 129 pilot whales stranded at Cape Farewell in the South Island.

About 80 pilot whales stranded at Ruakaka the same year, the biggest stranding in Northland in years.

Conservation Department spokeswoman Carolyn Smith says the department was overwhelmed by the way people rallied to save the whales at Karikari.

"The fact that nine whales were able to be successfully rescued has definitely made the huge effort worthwhile."

She says the teamwork of Far North Whale Rescue, Project Jonah, iwi and volunteers as a fantastic collaborative effort.

"One person commented that it was the best example of teamwork he's seen in a long time."

- Bay Chronicle