This is the latest situation with the whale stranding on Farewell Spit.

9.30am:

Eight of the 13 pilot whales that stranded on Farewell Spit yesterday have re-stranded there overnight. Five whales have died – one yesterday afternoon and four overnight.

DOC rangers with the help of volunteers, many from Project Jonah, will attempt to refloat the eight whales in this morning’s high tide, high tide being shortly after 10am this morning.

Last night rescuers had to pull out due to fading light around 9.15pm having got the 12 whales afloat but not having been able to fully get them grouped together and moving out to sea.

The other 50 or so whales in the pod have not been seen since DOC rangers in a boat lost sight of them in choppy sea early yesterday afternoon.

ENDS

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