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Rescuers and volunteers in New Zealand remained optimistic the 46 pilot whales they refloated on Monday have been able to go swim in the deep waters. They scoured the beaches on Farewell Spit on Tuesday and found not one of the beautiful creatures got stranded again.

"We are optimistic they may have swum out to sea," John Mason, Department of Conservation (DOC) Takaka spokesman, said. The 46 pilot whales were part of the 73 that got stranded over the weekend. Rangers were able to refloat them at 11.30 am (1330 AEDT) on Monday.

Yet, the rangers remain concerned because the animals could still be in the (Golden) bay.

Mr Mason said the whales could get stranded again if they are still in the bay area. He encouraged people who could spot the whales to contact DOC immediately.

The whale strandings over the weekend were the third this summer at Farewell Spit. While most were successfully refloated, dozens of the beautiful creatures have also died naturally while others were euthanised.

Whale strandings are common in Farewell Spit at the top of the South Island. It is believed the whales get stranded because they get confused when they reach that point because of a large inter-tidal area.

Experts said it is one of the worst areas in the world for whales to get beached. In the last five years, at least 250 pilot whales have died in that area.

On Friday before the latest stranding, rescuers were forced to euthanise 13 pilot whales because efforts to refloat them proved futile.

Euthanizing them humanely relieves their suffering," Mr Mason said.