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New Zealand: More than two dozen whales die after mass stranding at Farewell Spit

At least 29 pilot whales have died after a mass stranding at a New Zealand beach known to be a notorious spot for marine mammals deaths.

Mass whale stranding

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Mass whale stranding

More than two dozen whales have died after stranding at Farewell Spit, a remote beach on New Zealand's South Island. (Credits: Department of Conservation)

Nearly 30 whales die in New Zealand

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Nearly 30 whales die in New Zealand

According to the Department for Conservation, 34 pilot whales were found stranded on Farewell Spit, which sits on the north tip of the southern island. Of the 34 found, 29 tragically lost their lives, while medics worked hard to save the lives of five whales. (Credits: Department of Conservation)

Marine mammals die at Farewell Spit

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Marine mammals die at Farewell Spit

The department in a Facebook post said, “It is a sad morning following the stranding of 34 pilot whales on Farewell Spit with 29 dead. As heartbreaking as it is, whale strandings are a natural phenomenon.” (Representational Image, Credits: Twitter)

Dozens of pilot whales at Farewell Spit

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Dozens of pilot whales at Farewell Spit

The cause of this stranding is not known, but Golden Bay is a high stranding area with Farewell Spit hooking around the northern entrance into forming extensive, many kilometres wide, intertidal sand flats, the department added. Officials said it was unclear whether the mammals were part of the larger pod that had washed ashore nearby earlier. (Representational Image, Credits: Twitter)