Thaindian News

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND (BNO NEWS) — More than 40 pilot whales of 74 found stranded on the shores of a northern New Zealand beach have died, local media reported on Wednesday.

The stranded whales - nine of which were reportedly saved - spread across two kilometers (1.2 miles) of beach at Spirits Bay in a remote area roughly 90 kilometers (56 miles) north of Kaitaia.

New Zealand’s Department of Conservation (DOC) were initially called at around 11:30 a.m. local time with a report of 32 stranded whales, but at the time of their arrival, the number of whales had increased to 43. As rescue efforts continued, more whales became stranded.

“It started off with not many and the number has grown as the day has gone on,” spokesperson Sue Campbell said. “At the moment we’re trying to get enough people to help.”

DOC personnel were forced to euthanize several whales which were stressed and severely injured after being washed on the rocks and rescue efforts are being stumped as the weather and sea conditions are making it impossible for the whales to be refloated back into the sea.

It was later decided to transport the whales south to Rarawa Beach by road, where they will be released Thursday morning as rescue teams will be working throughout the evening and overnight. Volunteers from Project Jonah, Far North Whale Rescue, and other DOC personnel are currently working but more volunteers are still needed.

“They will be lifted up with big nets on to the back of trucks with straw or hay loaded on them,” Mark Simpson, chairman of Project Jonah, said. “More whales are still coming in. Pilot whales have very strong social bonds and they try to help each other so more keep getting stuck,” he added.

Previously, a group of 58 pilot whales was stranded on Karikari Beach in August. Only nine were rescued as 43 were already dead when the group was discovered and six died during the rescue attempt.