Pilot whales saved after being stranded on New Zealand beach

More than 30 pilot whales stranded on a New Zealand beach were successfully returned to the sea thanks to a collaborative effort by locals and conservation workers, who used sheets to refloat the animals.

Unfortunately, four whales—three adults and one calf—did not survive, according to New Zealand’s Department of Conservation (DOC).

New Zealand has long been a hotspot for whale strandings, with pilot whales being particularly susceptible to such events.

The dramatic rescue took place on Ruakākā Beach, near Whangārei on New Zealand’s northern coastline.

Community Rallies Round

Hundreds of residents joined forces with conservationists on Sunday to save the pod.

By Monday, a DOC team was monitoring the area to ensure the whales hadn’t returned to shore.

The department praised the extraordinary community response.

“It’s amazing to witness the genuine care and compassion people have shown toward these magnificent animals,” Joel Lauterbach, a spokesperson for the DOC, said in a statement

“This response demonstrates the deep connection we all share with our marine environment.”

What Are Pilot Whales?

Despite their name, pilot whales belong to the dolphin family.

They are highly social creatures and travel in pods of 10 to 50 individuals, which can lead to mass strandings.

Pilot whales measure 16-25 feet and weigh up to three tons, and primarily feed on squid but also eat small fish.

Pilot whales are protected under international laws in many regions to ensure sustainable populations.

The four whales that died were honored in a Māori cultural ceremony on Monday.

To New Zealand’s Indigenous Māori people, whales are considered taonga—sacred treasures of profound cultural significance.

Why Are Whale Strandings Common in New Zealand?

Whale strandings are not uncommon in New Zealand, with over 5,000 recorded since 1840.

The country’s largest recorded pilot whale stranding occurred in 1918, when approximately 1,000 whales beached at the Chatham Islands.

In 2022, 477 whales washed ashore at the Chatham Islands in two separate stranding events.

The whales were left to decompose naturally on land.

While the exact cause of strandings often remains unclear, experts suggest New Zealand’s unique geography plays a significant role.

Its coastline is marked by shallow, sloping beaches that can disorient species such as pilot whales, which rely on echolocation for navigation.

Pilot whales’ strong social ties can mean that if one member of the pod is in trouble, others may follow.

At the time of the 2022 stranding, wildlife scientist Vanessa Pirotta of the Marine Predator Research Group at Macquarie University, spoke to Newsweek.

“[The Chatham Islands are] a hotspot, likely due to its geographical position. The islands are surrounded by deep productive/nutrient waters.”

“The whales may have been feeding in the area or having a social interaction or were simply passing through and were unable to navigate around the island hazard.”

“This is the area where similar stranding events have occurred which suggests that geography may be at play here.”

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press