Local residents and conservation workers lifted the whales onto sheets in order to float them. Four of the whales died, according to New Zealand’s conservation agency.

New Zealand is a country with a high number of whale strandings. Pilot whales are particularly prolific.

The Department of Conservation praised hundreds of people for their efforts to save the stranding whale pod.

Joel Lauterbach stated, “It’s amazing to see how much genuine compassion people have shown for these magnificent creatures.” This response demonstrates the close relationship that we have with our marine environment.

Images of rescue efforts were shared on social media.

A Maori cultural event was held on Monday to honor the three adults who died and the one calf that also perished during the stranding. New Zealand’s Indigenous People view whales as a taonga or sacred treasure with cultural significance.

New Zealand has recorded more than 5,000 whale fatalities since 1840. The Department of Conservation reports that the largest pilot whale beaching took place in 1918 on the Chatham Islands.

It is believed that the geology of the island nation plays a part in strandings. Both North and South Islands have long stretches of coastline with steep, shallow beaches. It can be confusing for species such as pilot whales, which rely on echolocation to navigate.

There have been many mass strandings in recent months.

In July, 77 long-finned pilot whales washed ashore on the northeast coast of Scotland. 65 whales were already dead.

In April, a mass stranding of long-finned pilot whales resulted in 29 deaths. However, around 100 whales survived and were sent to sea.

Last year, nearly 100 pilot whales became stranded on a beach in Western Australia. All of them died despite a rescue attempt.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), pilot whales can grow up to 25 feet in length and weigh anywhere between 2,900 and 5,000 pounds. Their life expectancy is typically between 35 and 60. Their survival is threatened by several factors including disease, chemical contaminants, fishing gear, and ocean noise. Mass strandings have provided a wealth of information on their species and behavior.