Stranded pilot whales refloated

Pilot whales stranded on Karikari Beach. Photo / DOC

Eleven pilot whales have been successfully transported and refloated at Matai Bay after a mass stranding on Karikari Beach near Kaitaia yesterday.

Seven of the whales appeared to be in good condition, while four were experiencing difficulties, community relations programme manager for the Department of Conservation (DOC) in Kaitaia Carolyn Smith said today.

Eleven surviving whales were transported to Maitai Beach by a variety of trailers and trucks during the afternoon. As the whales arrived at the beach they were floated in the water straight away and oriented to face out to sea, ready for release.

Teams of volunteers, wearing wetsuits, stabilised the whales while waiting for them all to arrive.

"Of the eleven whales that were released, seven appear to be in good health, while four are experiencing difficulties," Ms Smith said.

"The Department is concerned because they haven't left the immediate area and we are closely monitoring the situation."

A total of 58 pilot whales stranded and the 11 are the only survivors despite big efforts by DOC and volunteers to keep them alive.

A team of more than 70 volunteers from the Department of Conservation (DOC) in Kaitaia, Project Jonah and Far North Whale Rescue were back at the scene at first light today. Volunteers from the local community and local iwi, Ngati Kahu, were also on hand to help.

A skeleton crew stayed to monitor them overnight, DOC acting area manager Mike Davies said.

He said the remaining whales were moved across about 1km to Matai Bay where they were refloated.

It was not necessary to tranquilise the whales, as they were already in quite a docile state.

The move began shortly after 9am.

DOC received a call about 10.30am yesterday advising of the mass stranding.

Ms Smith said the whales had probably stranded overnight Thursday, and that was why so many perished before being discovered.

About 40 people were involved in yesterday's rescue operation, including at least 20 DOC staff.

Far North Whale Rescue, which has a team of trained volunteers, worked with DOC, but the refloat was unsuccessful.

Ms Smith said that because of the delicate physiology of marine mammals, and the risks associated with refloating them, it was important the teams working with them were adequately trained.

"We're very grateful to the Far North Whale Rescue, who run free training workshops for people who want to be involved in whale strandings," Ms Smith said.

The next task facing staff would be the disposal of the dead whales.

DOC was working with Ngati Kahu on appropriate ways to do this.

Chief executive of Project Jonah Kimberly Muncaster praised the team work of all involved.

- NZPA