Rescuers save 1 stranded whale, shoot another on New Zealand beach

Rescue workers saved one of two whales stranded on a New Zealand beach but were forced to shoot the other after efforts to guide it back to sea failed, a conservation official said Friday. Conservation Department staff and residents of Himatangi Beach on North Island's west coast battled heavy surf for seven hours Thursday to save the two pygmy sperm whales after they became stranded in shallow water, ranger Jim Campbell said. One of the whales swam back to deep water with guidance from rescuers, but efforts to steer the other failed and the distressed mammal was shot late Thursday to save it from further suffering, he said.