BREAKING NEWS

58 whales die stranded on a New Zealand beach

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

AUGUST 20, 2010 15:25

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Fifty-eight pilot whales died after they washed onto an isolated beach in northern New Zealand and rescue volunteers' initial efforts to refloat 15 others that survived failed Friday.

A fresh attempt to save the 15 beached sea mammals — which weigh up to 3,300 pounds (1,500 kilograms) each — will be made early Saturday, using machinery including a crane and transporter, said Department of Conservation acting area manager Mike Davies.

The 73 pilot whales probably stranded during the night on remote Karikari Beach which is why so many died before they were discovered, said the department's community relations manager, Carolyn Smith.

New Zealand frequently sees several mass whale strandings around its coastline, mainly each summer as whales pass by on their migration to and from Antarctic waters. Scientists have not been able to determine why whales become stranded.

A pod of 101 pilot whales stranded on the same beach in 2007.

Kimberly Muncaster, chief executive of the Project Jonah whale aid group, said the 15 surviving whales were in "fairly poor condition."

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