By By Stephanie Dearing Dec 27, 2009 in World A pod of 63 pilot whales became stranded on mud flats in New Zealand on December 27, and over 200 volunteers turned out to help the whales. "Some 63 pilot whales stranded ... but it looks pretty good, we've got 43 live ones." The whales were found stranded early in the day, and people worked to keep the whales wet all day long, waiting for the high tide. Once the high tide came in, they were able to refloat the whales and the surviving whales swam out of the harbour. Some Department of Conservation employees were to maintain a watch over the harbour overnight to ensure the whales did not return, as often happens after whales become stranded. Department of Conservation spokeswoman Between 1978 and 2004, there have been over 8,000 whales and dolphins It is Activists, however, point to In March of 2008, New Zealand's' famous lone dolphin, Moko, Colville Bay, Coromandel New Zealand - By the end of the day, the heroic efforts of hundreds of people who came out to help the whales after the pod was reported stranded on the mud flats off Colville Bay, meant that most of the pod was saved. Anywhere from 200 to 500 volunteers turned up with buckets and blankets to help the Department of Conservation in an effort to save the whales. While 43 were eventually saved, 20 whales died, reportedly shortly after the whales became stranded. Department of Conservation Ranger Steve Bolten told the press The whales were found stranded early in the day, and people worked to keep the whales wet all day long, waiting for the high tide. Once the high tide came in, they were able to refloat the whales and the surviving whales swam out of the harbour. Some Department of Conservation employees were to maintain a watch over the harbour overnight to ensure the whales did not return, as often happens after whales become stranded.Department of Conservation spokeswoman Katrina Knill expressed gratitude for the help the Department received from the community.Between 1978 and 2004, there have been over 8,000 whales and dolphins stranded around New Zealand, with just over 2,000 of those animals saved.It is believed that whales and dolphins become stranded for a number of different reasons. Illness, injury and old age are reasons used to explain individual strandings. One theory runs along the lines that the dominant whale in a pod accidentally becomes stranded, thus endangering the entire pod as they whales follow their leader. Another theory believes the whales are so focused on catching their dinner, they fail to notice the shallowness of the waters they are in. Weather phenomena, particularly El Nino, is thought to influence the behaviour of whales, playing a role in beaching. And finally, it is thought that something somehow went wrong with the whale's navigation systems.Activists, however, point to noise pollution as a possible factor in mass strandings. A mass stranding is two or more whales.In March of 2008, New Zealand's' famous lone dolphin, Moko, saved a female whale and her calf by showing the whales the way out of the cove on Mahia Beach Pilot whales are actually members of the dolphin family, and are said to be intelligent animals that do well in captivity. The Pilot whale eats mainly squid, but will also eat octopuses, cuttlefish and small fish. They have been observed herding their intended prey into harbours, circling their dinner. Pilot whales are found throughout the world. It is thought that their social nature has been the key reason behind the large numbers of Pilot whales stranded over the years, as Pilot whales tend to live in groups of 60 to 90 whales. More about Pilot whales beached, Colville bay, Cormandel new zealand More news from pilot whales beached colville bay cormandel new zealan...