A mass stranding of 198 pilot whales in New Zeland has left 24 dead, officials said Friday. The whales became stuck on Farewell Spit, a narrow sandbar at the northern tip of the South Island, dpa quoted the Department of Conservation as saying. Department staff and volunteers from whale conservation group Project Jonah, planned to try and refloat the surviving whales on the evening high tide just after 5 pm (0400 GMT), spokeswoman Jose Watson said. If the attempt is unsuccessful, the department will ask members of the public to bring buckets, spades and old sheets Saturday morning to help care for the whales. Watson said the department had reached out to Project Jonah as their volunteers were trained in dealing with the large mammals, some of which were up to 6 metres long. "You want people who are fully briefed and know the dangers and are reasonably skilled." Whales frequently strand in the shallow tidal waters off Farewell Spit. -- SPA 10:56 LOCAL TIME 07:56 GMT تغريد
