Less-informed media have once again feasted on the supposed plight of stranded pilot wales (more correctly dolphines), on the inner Farewell Spit.

Human intervention is the last thing these highly intelligent creatures need in their lives.
If they beach (not strand), they do so for their own reasons and these are reasons we still don't have the capacity to understand, and probably never will.

Every human contact has led to demise or genetic distortion of the animal kingdom (including humans). This is yet another obvious occasion where we should leave nature alone. Pilot whales, like all other sea-going mammals know more about their environment than we will ever know.

They know intimately shallow or deep; they're acutely aware of tidal movements, yet they have been beaching since the dawn of time.

Yes, its gut-wrenching to see these magnificent animals dying on the beach – but if there is not a natural reason, it simply wouldn't occur. Mankind has repeatedly attempte to control nature, never succeeding. Just leave them alone, they will sort it out themselves.

K Molloy, Omokoroa.