Whale rescue underway at Farewell Spit after six deaths

Six whales died at Farewell Spit on the South Island coast due to mass stranding, while 15 others remain stranded, the environmental organization Project Jonah reported on Friday.

On Thursday, teams discovered 55 whales were stranded at two locations along Farewell Spit, a 26-kilometer-long sandbar at the northern tip of New Zealand’s South Island. Most of these whales were successfully refloated, but ongoing efforts are focused on saving the remaining animals.

Project Jonah stated on Facebook that volunteers are closely monitoring the beaches of Golden Bay, where Farewell Spit is located, in search of other stranded whales and maintaining conditions for the survivors until the tide rises.

“These whales have once again become stranded along the high tide line, further complicating the refloating process,” the organization noted in an update.

Farewell Spit has a long history of whale strandings. Its remote location and limited facilities mean visitors assisting in rescue efforts are advised to bring essentials such as food, water, and toiletries.