Yahoo News 22 Jan 08;
Fifteen pilot whales died in beach strandings Wednesday in southern New Zealand while rescuers refloated another 15 and monitored their progress toward safer waters, conservation officials said.
The whales, ranging from calves to 20-foot adults — were found beached at two locations on Farewell Spit on New Zealand's South Island, Conservation Department ranger Nigel Mountfort said.
Fifteen of the whales were dead when discovered. Rescuers helped refloat the remaining 15, but they remained in a tidal area where they risked beaching themselves again, Mountford said. A conservation worker was sent aboard a plane to monitor the bay for whales at risk of further stranding, he said.
Scientists are unable to explain why whales strand, but some believe it is caused by disorientation in their sonar sounding systems.
New Zealand has several mass strandings around its coastline each summer, with Conservation Department records showing more than 5,000 whale and dolphin strandings since 1840.
At least 15 whales die in New Zealand stranding
Yahoo News 23 Jan 08;
At least 15 pilot whales died and another 18 were in danger after stranding on an isolated New Zealand beach, authorities said Wednesday.
Six whales were initially found stranded Wednesday morning at Farewell Spit on the northwest of the South Island, and three died while the remainder were refloated, said Department of Conservation spokeswoman Trish Grant.
A larger pod of up to 30 were found nearby, of which 12 to 15 had died with about as many milling close to shore, Grant said.
The surviving whales were being monitored and there was a concern they could also become stuck on the beach.
"It all depends on which way the whales start to move," Grant said, adding that the whales would be in most danger at low tide.
Rough seas and strong winds were hampering attempts to keep a watch on the four to six metre (13 to 19 feet) long whales.
Whale strandings have been common in the area and about two years ago 25 pilot whales died after a pod of 129 beached at Farewell Spit.
