107 pilot whales die after stranding
Feb 21, 2011 10:21 AM EST
STEWART ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND: All members of a pod of 107 pilot whales that beached on a remote New Zealand island have died.
Officials say they had to euthanize 48 whales.
The stranded whales were discovered by hikers on Sunday.
Conservation department staff flew to the area and found that about half of the group was already dead and the others were dying.
The whales were well up the beach and the tide was receding, leaving little chance of keeping them alive until more rescuers could arrive.
Pilot whales are about 13 feet to 20 feet long and are the most common species of whale in New Zealand waters. Whale strandings are common in New Zealand.
Last month, 24 pilot whales died after stranding on the north island.
NBC2 News
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