More than 400 pilot whales were beached on the shore at Farewell Spit, New Zealand, on February 10 in one of the largest whale strandings the country has ever seen. This video features drone and ground footage of the incident.

About 300 of the whales were already dead by the time they were discovered on the morning of February 10. Fifty of the 100 whales that were refloated restranded themselves, a Department of Conservation source said.

More than 500 volunteers helped with the rescue effort, which was due to continue on February 11. Credit: Thomas Connor via Storyful