Eight of the dolphins which had been stranded on Waiheke Island are heading back out to sea.
Project Jonah volunteers try and help the dolphins. Photo: Supplied / Project Jonah
Waiheke Island locals, Department of Conservation staff and Project Jonah volunteers have been working for several hours to try and save the pod of dolphins that stranded at Whakanewha Bay.
About 10 common dolphins, including one calf, stranded about midday.
DOC's Emma Kearney said one juvenile dolphin returned to deeper water just before 4pm.
She said just before 5pm a further seven dolphins were successfully refloated, and headed out to deeper water.
One adult dolphin and one calf died earlier today and have been taken to Massey University for study.
During the day the dolphins were covered with material and fern fronds to protect them from the sun, and volunteers poured water over them.
The dolphins were covered with material and fern fronds to protect them from the sun. Photo: Supplied / Project Jonah
Project Jonah said no further volunteers were needed at the moment.
Photo: Supplied / Project Jonah
