DOC whale stranding media update 2pm
DOC rangers, Project Jonah volunteers and others have early this afternoon refloated pilot whales found stranded on
Farewell Spit this morning about 5km from its base. It is too early to say yet whether or not the rescue effort will be
fully successful with the whales remaining in deeper water and moving further out to sea. There is still a risk of
whales restranding.
Most of the 62 refloated whales are swimming in deeper water towards the other side of Golden Bay and it is hoped they
will continue to swim safety further out in the bay. They are being monitored by the Tasman District Council
harbourmaster in a boat.
Around 6 to 8 whales though have remained close to Farewell Spit and are swimming further along the spit. They are being
monitored by DOC rangers in a boat.
ends