Pilot whales stranded in New Zealand
AFP: More than 400 whales were stranded on a New Zealand beach on February 10. Though many died quickly, most of the survivors were able to refloat themselves, conservation officials said on February 12.
- This picture taken on February 11, 2017 shows a volunteer caring for a pilot whale during a mass stranding at Farewell Spit. Most of the more than 200 whales who became stranded on New Zealand’s notorious Farewell Spit on the weekend have been able to refloat themselves, conservation officials said on February 12. (AFP PHOTO / Marty MELVILLE)
- Whales are stranded at Farewell Spit near Nelson, New Zealand Friday, Feb. 10, 2017. New Zealand volunteers formed a human chain in the water at a remote beach on Friday as they tried to save about 100 whales after more than 400 of the creatures beached themselves in one of the worst whale strandings in the nation’s history. About three-quarters of the pilot whales were already dead when they were found Friday morning at Farewell Spit at the tip of the South Island. (Tim Cuff/New Zealand Herald via AP)
- This handout from Radio New Zealand taken and released on February 10, 2017 shows pilot whales which beached themselves overnight at Farewell Spit in the Golden Bay region at the northern tip of New Zealand’s South Island. More than 400 whales were stranded on the New Zealand beach on February 10, with hundreds already dead as volunteers tried to refloat the survivors, the Department of Conservation said. (AFP PHOTO / RADIO NEW ZEALAND / Tracy NEAL / – New Zealand OUT)
- This picture taken on February 11, 2017 shows fishermen looking at pilot whales which died in a mass stranding at Farewell Spit. Most of the more than 200 whales who became stranded on New Zealand’s notorious Farewell Spit on the weekend have been able to refloat themselves, conservation officials said on February 12. (AFP PHOTO / Marty MELVILLE)
- A volunteer pours water on a stranded Pilot whale during a mass stranding at Farewell Spit on February 11, 2017. More than 400 whales were stranded on a New Zealand beach on February 10, with most of them dying quickly as frustrated volunteers desperately raced to save the survivors. (AFP PHOTO / Marty MELVILLE)
- A human chain stops Pilot whales from returning to shore during a mass stranding at Farewell Spit on February 11, 2017. More than 400 whales were stranded on a New Zealand beach on February 10, with most of them dying quickly as frustrated volunteers desperately raced to save the survivors. (AFP PHOTO / Marty MELVILLE)
- Volunteers hold a Pilot whale upright during a 2nd mass stranding at Farewell Spit on February 11, 2017. More than 400 whales were stranded on a New Zealand beach on February 10, with most of them dying quickly as frustrated volunteers desperately raced to save the survivors. (AFP PHOTO / Marty MELVILLE)
- A volunteer pours water on pilot whales during a mass stranding at Farewell Spit on February 11, 2017. Rescuers defied a shark threat to form a human chain in a New Zealand bay on February 11 in a bid to keep another 200 whales from becoming stranded a day after hundreds died in a mass beaching. (AFP PHOTO / Marty MELVILLE)
- This picture taken on February 11, 2017 shows pilot whales being guided out to deeper water after a mass stranding at Farewell Spit. Most of the more than 200 whales who became stranded on New Zealand’s notorious Farewell Spit on the weekend have been able to refloat themselves, conservation officials said on February 12. (AFP PHOTO / Marty MELVILLE)
- This picture taken on February 11, 2017 shows volunteers caring for pilot whales during a mass stranding at Farewell Spit. Most of the more than 200 whales who became stranded on New Zealand’s notorious Farewell Spit on the weekend have been able to refloat themselves, conservation officials said on February 12. (AFP PHOTO / Marty MELVILLE)
- This picture taken on February 11, 2017 shows volunteers caring for pilot whales during a mass stranding at Farewell Spit. Most of the more than 200 whales who became stranded on New Zealand’s notorious Farewell Spit on the weekend have been able to refloat themselves, conservation officials said on February 12. (AFP PHOTO / Marty MELVILLE)
- This picture taken on February 11, 2017 shows pilot whales being guided out to deeper water after a mass stranding at Farewell Spit. Most of the more than 200 whales who became stranded on New Zealand’s notorious Farewell Spit on the weekend have been able to refloat themselves, conservation officials said on February 12. (AFP PHOTO / Marty MELVILLE)
- This picture taken on February 11, 2017 shows pilot whales being guided out to deeper water after a mass stranding at Farewell Spit. Most of the more than 200 whales who became stranded on New Zealand’s notorious Farewell Spit on the weekend have been able to refloat themselves, conservation officials said on February 12. (AFP PHOTO / Marty MELVILLE)
- A pilot whale and her calf lie in shallow waters during a mass stranding at Farewell Spit on February 11, 2017. Rescuers defied a shark threat to form a human chain in a New Zealand bay on February 11 in a bid to keep another 200 whales from becoming stranded a day after hundreds died in a mass beaching. (AFP PHOTO / Marty MELVILLE)
- This picture taken on February 11, 2017 shows a volunteer bringing a dead pilot whale back to the beach after a mass stranding at Farewell Spit. Most of the more than 200 whales who became stranded on New Zealand’s notorious Farewell Spit on the weekend have been able to refloat themselves, conservation officials said on February 12. (AFP PHOTO / Marty MELVILLE)
- This picture taken on February 11, 2017 shows a volunteer caring for a pilot whale during a mass stranding at Farewell Spit. Most of the more than 200 whales who became stranded on New Zealand’s notorious Farewell Spit on the weekend have been able to refloat themselves, conservation officials said on February 12. / (AFP PHOTO / Marty MELVILLE)
- This picture taken on February 11, 2017 shows a whale stranding sign during a mass stranding of pilot whales at Farewell Spit. Whale rescuers were cautiously optimistic on February 12 that the current wave of mass beachings in New Zealand was over, after hundreds of the creatures died after being stranded ashore. (AFP PHOTO / Marty MELVILLE)
- This picture taken on February 11, 2017 shows dead pilot whales lining the shore after a mass stranding at Farewell Spit. Whale rescuers were cautiously optimistic on February 12 that the current wave of mass beachings in New Zealand was over, after hundreds of the creatures died after being stranded ashore. (AFP PHOTO / Marty MELVILLE)