All 33 restranded whales shot dead, New Zealand

Thursday Jan 26, 2012

All 33 remaining stranded pilot whales have been euthanised after restranding again overnight in Golden Bay.

The whales were part of a pod of 99 that beached in the Farewell Spit area of Golden Bay around midday on Monday.

Volunteers have twice refloated surviving whales only to have them restrand, with more dying or having to be put down after each attempt.

Department of Conservation area manager John Mason said the remaining whales were shot in the head with a high calibre rifle shortly after the decision to put them down at 8:15am.

They were showing “significant” signs of physical deterioration and stress, with many bleeding and blistering in the morning sun.

He said gale warnings are forecast for this afternoon, meaning …

nzherald.co.nz

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40 more whales dead threatens 36 at Farewell Spit, New Zealand *UPDATED*
By xdrfox on Monday, January 23, 2012