Hundreds of volunteers refloat pilot whales after mass stranding on Ruakākā Beach in Northland

Hundreds of volunteers formed a “human wall” and used banging noises to refloat about 40 pilot whales after a mass stranding on Ruakākā Beach in Northland.

The whales became stranded around 5.30pm as members of the public including, families with young children, ran to the beach and attempted to keep the animals wet as the tide retreated.

One witness, who described the size of the crowd as “phenomenal”, told the Herald Project Jonah volunteers asked volunteers to form a wall and make banging noises to keep the whales from coming back to shore.

Four of the whales succumbed on the beach, however, the rest have been successfully refloated.

“There were reports police had asked people not to come and leave it to DoC, but the people sure turned out.”

One Ruakākā business owner said there were hundreds of people now on the beach attempting to refloat the whales.

“The tide is on its way out so they are keeping them wet by using blankets and towels and buckets of water.”

Another local business owner said, “People are urgently needed to get them back in the water.”

The whales became stranded around 5.30pm as members of the public including, families with young children, ran to the beach and attempted to keep the animals wet as the tide retreated.

Northland Fishing Facebook group has posted online, asking members of the public, “Can anyone get down to help?”

One person told the Herald a friend said roughly 2000 people were on the beach.

Project Jonah said they were responding to a mass pilot whale stranding happening in Northland.

“Around 30 pilot whales have stranded in the surf and the tide is going out. Medics have been mobilised and are on site and we are co-ordinating with DoC and iwi.

“If you are on-site, please do not pull, roll or drag the whales and stay clear of their tails.”

An earlier video from the scene showed hundreds of people in bare feet and shorts, wetsuits, and togs - including multiple families with small children - filling large buckets of water to pour over the beached whales.

About 40 pilot whales after a mass stranding on Ruakākā Beach in Northland. Photo / Hayden Woodward

One Project Jonah volunteer was seen announcing to the crowd, “We need bodies in the water so they [the whales] do not come back in”.

Multiple people could be gathering around a stranded whale wrapped in damp towels as they desperately attempt to push the whale towards the receding tide.

At the end of the video, two pilot whales were seen stranded on their sides wrapped in wet towels, surrounded by multiple children, parents and panicked onlookers.

In other videos from the scene, scrums of volunteers could be seen heaving the beached whales into the sea with a long line of people standing in the sea banging pots and pans.

A police spokesperson said they were at the scene of the stranding of several pilot whales on the coast near Whangārei.

“We’re aware that our communities want to help, but we urge people not to approach the whales.”

One witness, who described the size of the crowd as “phenomenal”, said Project Jonah volunteers asked volunteers to form a wall and make banging noises to keep the whales from coming back to shore. Photo / Hayden Woodward

“The Department of Conservation (DoC) is responsible for the response to strandings of this kind and are expert in dealing with these events. Please let the DoC team do their work.”

A DoC spokesperson said a pilot whale stranding at Ruakaka Beach in Northland has sadly seen three adults and one calf die.

“DoC staff and Project Jonah are on site, and there is some concern that the pilot whales will re-strand themselves. DoC staff and Project Jonah are monitoring the situation and staying vigilant for further possible strandings.

“We are appealing for sightings of the whales from public along the Bream Bay Coastline and staying vigilant for further strandings”

Ranger supervisor Kallen Mehrtens was onsite at the beach, and has asked that people stay home, the spokesperson said.

“We have plenty of help, it is best if people stay away to ease the congestion at the beach, and if people aren’t directly involved with helping the whales, we ask you please go home,” she said.

“Up to 40 pilot whales were stranded on Ruakākā Beach, but most of them have refloated and swum out to sea.”

A DOC spokesperson said the local iwi Pareharakeke would be at the beach maintaining watch overnight.

“DOC will stay a little longer this evening, then be back again at first light. We will provide another update in the morning.”

Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.