Project Jonah: Stranded Whales Die On New Zealand Beach In Race Against Time

Pod Of 99 Whales Stranded On New Zealand Beach

A mass stranding of pilot whales on a New Zealand beach on 23 January has led to the death 36 of the mammals. Forty more remain in danger.

Kimberly Muncaster, from the whale rescue group 'Project Jonah', is helping to re-float the whales stranded on Golden Bay, a stretch of sand notorious for whale beaching during New Zealand's summer months. The beach is a long finger of sand that juts out in the path of the whale's migration path.

It's a frustrating task for volunteers. After they managed to re-float a number of whales, the group followed one confused mammal back to shore and became stranded once again. Volunteers have been trying to keep the whales comfortable by covering them in wet sheets and pouring water on them.

Muncaster said: "Its incredibly sad to see those that have died but our focus is always on the live ones."

Rescuers have now managed to re-float 17 whales.

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