Mass stranding: 61 whales die in New Zealand

World

Mass stranding: 61 whales die in New Zealand

Close

More than 60 whales died in a mass stranding in New Zealand, conservation officials said Wednesday.

16 November,2011 07:50 am

Tourists found the pod of 61 beached whales on Monday at Farewell Spit, on the top of the South Island, the Department of Conservation (DOC) said.DOC local manager John Mason said a large number were already dead and hopes the survivors would refloat at high tide on Tuesday were dashed when the whales swam back to shore.He said 18 whales remained alive early Wednesday and DOC staff decided to euthanize them, rather than prolong their suffering.Pilot whales up to six metres (20 feet) long are the most common species of whale in New Zealand waters, with mass standings occurring about two or three times a year.Scientists are unsure why pilot whales beach themselves, although they speculate it may occur when their sonar becomes scrambled in shallow water or when a sick member of the pod heads for shore and others follow.