By 3 News online staff
Volunteers will this morning resume attempts to refloat a large pod of whales stranded at Farewell Spit.
Twenty-two of the 99 pilot whales have already died after they beached yesterday afternoon.
Project Jonah chief executive Kimberly Muncaster told NZ Newswire
volunteers had tried desperately to save the whales which became
stranded just after midday.
"It was very sad," she said.
"But there was nothing more that we could have done."
Dozens of volunteers worked until late last night to keep the whales alive but they did not get an opportunity to refloat them.
Ms Muncaster said although there was only a small chance the
remaining live whales would refloat at high tide about 11pm, she
remained hopeful.
Volunteers had spent the afternoon trying to keep the whales cool and upright.
Project Jonah marine mammal medics have also been called to give the whales first aid.
Rescue efforts were due to resume at first light today.
The spot where the whales were stranded is close to Farewell Spit, where 25 were stranded early in January.
Seven of those whales died, while 65 whales died after becoming stranded in the same area in November.
It is the third stranding at the top of the South Island since November.
3 News/NZN