Imagine chilling on a New Zealand beach, and suddenly, you spot 30 massive pilot whales stranded on the sand! 😱 That's exactly what happened at Ruakaka Beach near Whangarei. But don't worry, this story has a happy ending (mostly).
Over the weekend, locals and conservation workers teamed up for an epic rescue mission. Using sheer teamwork and some creative thinking (think lifting whales on sheets!), they managed to refloat more than 30 of these gentle giants back into the ocean! 🌊
Sadly, four whales didn't make it, but the community's swift action saved the rest from a grim fate. New Zealand's conservation agency praised the locals for their heroic efforts. 🙌
Fun fact: Did you know that New Zealand is a whale-stranding hotspot? Pilot whales, in particular, often find themselves beached for mysterious reasons. But with communities like this, there's always hope for a rescue! 💪
As of Monday, a dedicated team is keeping an eye on the beach to ensure our whale friends don't return for an encore stranding. Fingers crossed they stay in the deep blue where they belong! 🤞
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
