200 More Whales Swim Into NZ Bay After Yesterday’s Horrific Beaching

One of yesterday’s most heartbreaking stories almost got a lot worse. 

This morning, a 200-strong “super pod” of whales entered the same section of New Zealand coastline where hundreds of the blessed sea beasts succumbed to beaching yesterday.

After being carried in by the tide, the new group of whales was met by hundreds of volunteers at Farewell Spit at Golden Bay, many of whom formed a human chain to prevent ’em from getting too close.

Thankfully, the volunteers’ efforts have proven largely successful, and Fairfax reports that only 40 of the original whales remained stranded as of midday.

Low tide is approaching around 5pm, and there are concerted efforts to keep the pod as far away as possible. 

Tide is coming in quick, massive attempt to refloat the re-beaches whales. Really hot here in Golden Bay, another race against time pic.twitter.com/Ik7URy8krH

— Emily Cooper (@em_cooper23) February 10, 2017

Volunteers at #farewellspit in #NewZealand do wonderful job to refloat 100 stranded whales and prevent another beaching. Cheers!!! pic.twitter.com/UUXvsLlbZX

— Shankar Raj (@shanksnews) February 11, 2017

It’s not yet known exactly why the extra whales swum into the area, but Daren Grover, general manager of whale conservation group Project Jonah, said “they may have been picking up some calls from the whales here and come in to respond.

Mark Rigby, a Project Jonah coordinator, added “all we know is it keeps happening. There will be people who will argue that it’s natural.”

Hrmm.

As it stands, the stranding on Thursday night was the third largest recorded in Kiwi history. Again, good luck to all involved.