28 Whales Dead, Euthanized After New Zealand Stranding

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Twenty-eight pilot whales died or were euthanized by conservation workers after a mass stranding on a remote New Zealand beach, an official said Monday.

Department of Conservation workers found nine whales dead on Stewart Island's West Ruggedy Beach on Sunday after they were alerted by a passer-by, biodiversity manager Brent Bevan said.

Wild seas and strong winds made it impossible to mount a rescue for the 19 survivors, he said. Conservation officials were forced to euthanize the animals, or they would have suffered greatly, he said.

"There was no way we could attempt a rescue in those sea conditions," Bevan told The Associated Press. "We could either euthanize the whales, or leave them to suffer on the beach for two days. We didn't have any options."

It was the fourth mass stranding on the New Zealand coast in recent months. Some 140 pilot whales died in the three other beachings, while 76 were refloated by rescuers.

Whale strandings are not uncommon on Stewart Island, the third largest of New Zealand's islands. In 2003 about 160 whales stranded and died there.

Large numbers of whales become beached each summer in New Zealand as they pass through Antarctic waters on their way to South Pacific breeding grounds. Scientists have been unable to explain why it occurs.

Comments

[dominus]

01:04 PM on 03/17/2010

The cause is intolerable ELF sound waves which are being used by the military.

[MsVella]

10:07 AM on 02/16/2010

Oh I always found this really sad

[Nathaniel Mills]

12:59 AM on 02/16/2010

They're ultra-sensitive.

[sparky73]

12:56 AM on 02/16/2010

I have no proof but I think it is due to global warming. Its probably true

[Bearangaria]

12:42 AM on 02/16/2010

Large numbers every summer?
What's going on sonar wise in that area?
Anyone fessing up to high level sonic waves?
Of if not fessing up, anyone know the guilty parties?

[urchinsadrift]

10:29 PM on 02/15/2010

Can they give the beached whales to the japanese whale hunters? For research?

[Chris3131]

06:39 PM on 02/15/2010

It must be George W. Bush's fault.

[SPQR1775]

03:06 PM on 02/15/2010

This seem to be taking place much too often in Australia, New Zealand and other area's in that part of the world. I gurantee it's a telling of highly classified warfare and other BS they reptiles are conducting. Humans must be aware, they are been watch from people who look like them, but are not humans. They have shape shited their way into our world via dimentions and are using our DNA to replicate us. The fact is we need to start building our own Armys, no wonder in Somalia and other places around the world they go wild when attack, because they can see the shapeshifters for who they are visually. Drugs are illegal in the US because it raises people consciousness and understanding, but also because it opens ones 3rd eye and you are able to see things for what they truly are!

[Uncle Bill]

02:29 PM on 02/15/2010

It seems common sense that powerful sonar would effect animals with the exquisitely sophisticated echolocation that porpoises and whales have, but there were mass strandings before widespread use of sonar. More than one cause is at work here.
That being said, it makes sense that we should make every effort to minimize or eliminate the effect of military and civilian sonars on whales. Siting exercise areas away from concentrations of whales at breeding, feeding and birthing territories would be a logical starting point. Further research into what is most damaging to whales about sonar and if it is possible to structure systems that can be militarily effective and not damaging to whales would be another.

[Gabrielle]

01:11 PM on 02/15/2010

Very sad, but not only the human race is self destructing but it also destructs the animal and plant life...
Could be too late to turn around...

[JTHC75]

12:51 PM on 02/15/2010

I love how everyone assumes it must be the US Navy. First off, is there any proof it was sonar that did this (yes, whales occasionally beach themselves for reasons entirely unknown to us). Second, does no one else have submarines?

[TJCole]

01:02 PM on 02/15/2010

ELF waves...all submariners use them...!

[LaurelAva]

08:56 PM on 02/15/2010

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081006112057.htm

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090124122305.htm

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/11/081113-navy-whales-ap.html

http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0308/p08s03-comv.html

[dylbud]

12:42 PM on 02/15/2010

What do they now do with the 28 whale bodies? Leave them to decay?

[magwildwood]

02:40 PM on 02/15/2010

Some whales are considered toxic waste because of their mercury content. i think pilot whales have very high levels of mercury but I'm not sure if they would be considered hazardous waste since some people still eat them. I doubt they'll just be left to rot, but it depends upon laws and if they are considered hazardous or not.

[magwildwood]

02:43 PM on 02/15/2010

correction but don't quote me: i think it might be the PCB levels not the mercury that would make it hazardous

[sadwolf1]

12:36 PM on 02/15/2010

Ask the military why the whales are beaching themselves.

[thromulese]

12:26 PM on 02/15/2010

Has anyone checked for navy maneuvers in the area?

It is common knowledge that some of their newer radar is very powerful. I believe some judge even ruled that considerations must be made to limit the whale’s exposure to the radar. Rules that the military are no doubt ignoring.

These poor whales were just trying to get away from the deafening noise in their home. They would rather die than endure the agony.

Sad.

[ddpalmerr]

05:46 PM on 02/15/2010

It is sonar that 'may' effect whales, and do you have any proof that there was any navy ship within 100 miles?

[thromulese]

06:28 PM on 02/15/2010

No proof. The military keeps this stuff secret which I’m sure you are aware of.

Just a strong suspicion based on the science and court case that limited the use of that powerful sonar.

Do YOU have any proof that it was not the Navy?

[LaurelAva]

08:52 PM on 02/15/2010

The navy's own research confirms that sonar harm whales. Do you have any other good explanations as to why this has been happening to large groups of sea mammals with increasing regularity?

[Dredd]

12:24 PM on 02/15/2010

It is time to suspect the garbage gyres ...

http://blogdredd.blogspot.com/2010/02/gyres-americas-cup-medals.html