Another mass stranding has left nearly 100 pilot whales dead in New Zealand. According to multiple sources, by the time that rescuers arrived to the stranding area on the Chatham Islands, just over two dozen whales were still alive; the survivors were euthanized.
In a statement, DOC Biodiversity Ranger Jemma Welch explained:
Only 26 of the whales were still alive at this point, the majority of them appearing very weak, and were euthanised due to the rough sea conditions and almost certainty of there being great white sharks in the water which are brought in by a stranding like this.
According to the Department of Conservation, strandings are considered to be a normal occurrence and they can happen for a multitude of reasons, including bad weather, the pursuit of prey, sickness and the strong bond of the whales which can result in them following an ailing pod member to shore.
(Stock image of pilot whales via Pixabay)
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