MORE THAN 30 STRANDED WHALES RESCUED IN NZ
On the northern island of New Zealand’s local Maori group, Patuharakeke, authorities and other members of the public stepped in and saved more than 30 stranded whales.
The stranding took place on Ruakaka Beach near Whangarei.
New Zealand’s Department of Conservation (DOC) said most of the stranded whales were refloated and swam out to sea. Out of the entire pod, three adults and one calf died.
Whale and dolphin strandings are a common sight in New Zealand with the DOC responding to an average of 85 incidents per year. Most of the incidents consist of single animals, with massive pods like this one being very rare.
New Zealand has one of the world’s highest rates of stranding.
The DOC’s operations manager, Joel Lauterbach, said the rescue effort was “incredible, with everyone coming together for the whales”.
“It’s amazing to witness the genuine care and compassion people have shown towards these magnificent animals.”
Lauterbach said the effort wouldn’t have been as successful if the “hundreds of members of the public who have assisted so far” didn’t help.
Image credit: AP News