Pilot whales strand in Nelson

Dozens of long-finned pilot whales have stranded close to Triangle Flat on Farewell Spit in Nelson's Golden Bay. The mass stranding of about 70 whales last night followed the refloating of a single stranded whale yesterday. Project Jonah experts have been alerted and have headed to the area to assist the Department of Conservation with the rescue response. Project Jonah chief executive Kimberly Muncaster says trained marine mammal medics in the Nelson and Golden Bay regions are helping with the refloat. "These people are trained in stranding response and have the knowledge and equipment necessary for a potentially long exercise in difficult conditions," Muncaster says. She said volunteers are "very much needed" but need to be able to look after themselves and must come prepared with wet weather gear and plenty of warm clothing. "It's absolutely devastating to see so many of these whales stranded but we'll do our best to save as many as we can," Muncaster said. Advertisement "This may be a long and complex rescue operation." http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/pilot-whales-strand-in-nelson-4677450