China News Service, February 24, reported that a large number of pilot whales were found stranded on the northernmost beach of New Zealand's South Island. Although rescuers tried their best to send these whales into the sea, 19 whales died.
Data map: whale stranded on the coast.
The New Zealand Ministry of Environmental Protection stated that on the 22nd, about 50 pilot whales were found stranded at Farewell Spit, about 90 kilometers north of Nelson, the third largest city in the South Island. About 40 whales were pushed aground with the assistance of rescuers. Back to the sea, however, on the morning of the 23rd, a stranded whale was found again.
A spokesperson for the local Ministry of Environmental Protection said that some stranded whales have already swam away, but some are still haunting the coast.
"The whales are very close to the shore. It is currently uncertain whether they will swim or may be stranded again. Ministry of Environmental Protection personnel and volunteers will remain at the scene. If the whales start to swim ashore and run aground again, they can be rescued in time."
According to the New Zealand Herald, another 10 whales were found dead on the 23rd, and a total of 19 whales have died due to stranding.
In 2017, nearly 700 whales were stranded in New Zealand waters, and about 250 eventually died.
The reason for the whale stranding is still inconclusive. Some experts believe that the shallow water at the farewell corner affected the whale’s navigation ability.