‘Save the Whales!’

It is more than just a slogan in New Zealand where desperate rescue efforts are underway after almost 200 pilot whales got stranded.

Volunteers have rushed to help the stricken creatures found at Farewell Spit on the northwest tip of South Island – in what is said to be the biggest whale beaching there in over a decade.

“Radio New Zealand”: http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/regional/266073/dozens-of-whales-killed-in-stranding is reporting that three quarters of them have been refloated but have still to swim out to deeper water after getting stuck on sand.

Dozens of others have died.

Tataka Department Conservation Ranger, Mike Ogle, said: “Because there’s just so many whales, there are a couple of spots where a lot would gather together and that’s kind of problematic from the aspect that you can’t get in there, it’s just too dangerous.”

Mass beachings like this are fairly common worldwide for reasons ranging from sickness to disorientation due to manmade e