43 Whales Die After Stranding on New Zealand Coast
Forty-three whales have died after becoming stranded on the coast of New Zealand. The country's Department of Conservation (DOC) said none of the whales found on the shore survived. Rescue workers described the incident as difficult and heartbreaking.
The Department of Conservation received reports of stranded whales near Ngawi beach, close to Cape Palliser, after 8 a.m. local time on Thursday (5 November). At least 20 whales were seen on the shore at the time, four of which were still alive.
The conservation organisation Project Jonah New Zealand said it was working with the Department of Conservation and the local Maori group (iwi) to examine the health of the surviving whales and prepare to return them to the water at high tide.
But on Friday (6 November) afternoon, the Department of Conservation said a total of 43 whales had been found along the coast from Ngawi to Mangatoetoe, and sadly none of them was believed to be alive. Project Jonah said the whales found alive also died during the day.
The organisation said it had been a difficult and heartbreaking experience for everyone who took part in the rescue effort.
Local fisherman Andrew Sim described the incident as very sad.
Professor Ian L. Boyd, a biologist at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, said such incidents usually involve social animals, with a whole social group, or part of one, becoming stranded together. He said they are more common on shallow, sloping beaches.
It is now summer in New Zealand. At this time of year whales come close to the coast in search of food, and most beach strandings happen in this season. The information was reported by the American broadcaster CNN.
