DoC warns further euthanasia is possible as several of the whales stranded again after being refloated. Photo / DoC
Lamason said the larger of the two pods, which was stranded on sand and closer to a channel, refloated itself overnight.
He said there was always a possibility the whales would re-strand, but so far there was no sign of them.
Lamason said the team were optimistic they would be able to refloat the other 11 whales that remained on the beach, with rescuers doing everything they could to keep the whales cool and calm before high tide about 3.30pm.
The whales are draped with sheets to prevent sunburn, while people fetch water from the sea using buckets to douse them with.
“These whales have not been on the beach for as long as the other pod, so they’re in better condition.”
The whales are draped with sheets to prevent sunburn, while people fetch water using buckets to keep them cool. Photo / DoC
“The winds are not predicted to be as strong today, but it is a beautiful Golden Bay day, which is great if you’re sunbathing but not if you’re a whale.”
The stranding is the third in the area since early December.
In the first week of January, eight of 10 whales that stranded were successfully refloated, while about 13 died from a larger group that stranded in early December.
