More than 30 whales stranded at Farewell Spit have died and officials are assessing the condition of the remaining five.
The pod of 36 pilot whales became stranded last night. Department of Conservation rangers and Project Jonah senior medics rushed to the beach at first light on Friday to check on the pod.
Project Jonah communications and volunteer manager Louisa Hawkes told AM 31 whales have died.
"Sadly 31 whales were found dead, five whales have been found alive and they are currently being assessed to see if they're candidates for a refloat.
"At the moment DOC are sending up a spotter plane to see if there are any other whales located in the bay. Obviously, pilot whales in particular are large herding animals so we want to make sure if we do refloat them they have a pod they can join. We also want to look at their condition and whether if we do refloat them, it is the best thing for them or if they do sadly need to be euthanised because they're in bad condition."
Hawkes said thankfully high tide is expected at 11am which gives officials time to assess the situation and decide the best course of action.
She said the remote beach is known for whale strandings.
"It is an incredibly remote location…Farewell Spit is one of three global hotspots for whale strandings and particularly pilot whale strandings. They have happened here historically many times. We have tried different ways to try to deter them…but these whales continue to swim into the bay."
A few years ago, 300 pilot whales died at Farewell Spit.
