More than 30 pilot whales that stranded themselves on a beach in New Zealand were safely returned to the ocean. The conservation workers and local residents helped to refloat them by lifting them on sheets. New Zealand’s conservation agency shared that four of the pilot whales died.

Rescuers roped off an area around a dead pilot whale that was stranded on Rua kaka Beach in Northland, New Zealand.

New Zealand is a whale stranding hotspot and pilot whales are especially prolific stranders.

A team was monitoring Rua kaka Beach near the city of Whangrei in New Zealand’s north to ensure there were no signs of the whales saved stranding again. People and Media praised, as “incredible” the efforts made by hundreds of people to help save the foundering pod.

“It’s amazing to witness the genuine care and compassion people have shown toward these magnificent animals,” a Department of Conservation spokesperson said in a statement. “This response demonstrates the deep connection we all share with our marine environment.”

Rescuers kept standing in the water as they helped refloat stranded pilot whales on Rua kaka Beach in northland, New Zealand.

Moreover, a Mori cultural ceremony for the three adult whales and one calf that died in the stranding also took place. New Zealand’s Indigenous people consider whales a taonga a sacred treasure of cultural significance.