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Pilot whales die after 198 stranded on New Zealand beach More than 100 pilot whales die on New Zealand beach
(about 13 hours later)
Almost 200 pilot whales have stranded themselves on New Zealand's South Island, as rescuers and volunteers raced to refloat them. Rescuers are racing against the clock to refloat about 90 stranded pilot whales after more than 100 died on a beach on New Zealand's South Island.
Two dozen of the 198 whales found on Farewell Spit, Golden Bay, had already died, the conservation department said. The rescuers and volunteers at Farewell Spit, Golden Bay, managed to shepherd many mammals into deeper water, only for them to again run aground.
If the attempt to refloat them on Friday is unsuccessful, rescuers will have to wait 24 hours for high tide to try again. Conservation officials believe they have one last chance to refloat the whales on the high tide.
A local official said it is the biggest beaching incident in 10-15 years. If that fails, the mammals may have to be put down.
"Because there's just so many whales, there are a couple of spots where a lot would gather together and that's kind of problematic from the aspect that you can't get in there, it's just too dangerous," said Mike Ogle, a local conservation ranger. The rescuers are now trying to keep the distressed whales comfortable by pouring water over them.
Farewell Spit has been the location of many whale strandings. Those mammals who died are believed to have suffered great physical and emotional trauma.
Local conservation ranger Mike Ogle said it is the biggest beaching incident in 10-15 years.
"Because there's just so many whales, there are a couple of spots where a lot would gather together and that's kind of problematic from the aspect that you can't get in there, it's just too dangerous," he said.
Farewell Spit has been the location of many whale beachings.
Experts say its shallow waters seems to confuse whales and hinder their ability to navigate.Experts say its shallow waters seems to confuse whales and hinder their ability to navigate.
Once they are stranded, whales can suffer from dehydration and sunburn.Once they are stranded, whales can suffer from dehydration and sunburn.
Pilot whales can grow to about 20ft (6 metres) and are the most common species of whale in New Zealand's waters.Pilot whales can grow to about 20ft (6 metres) and are the most common species of whale in New Zealand's waters.
Andrew Lamason from the Department Of Conservation said it could take days to refloat the whales and even then there would be no guarantees they would survive.Andrew Lamason from the Department Of Conservation said it could take days to refloat the whales and even then there would be no guarantees they would survive.
"We've had plenty times in the past where the pods have gone out to sea and turned around and come back again," Mr Lamason said. "We're preparing for a big few days.""We've had plenty times in the past where the pods have gone out to sea and turned around and come back again," Mr Lamason said. "We're preparing for a big few days."
Scientists do not know what causes groups of whales to beach themselves.Scientists do not know what causes groups of whales to beach themselves.