More than two dozen pilot whales have died after becoming stranded on a remote beach in New Zealand.
A group of 29 whales was discovered on Monday at Twilight Beach near the northern tip of the country’s North Island.
The department of conservation decided against a rescue operation due to the remote location of the stranding, the condition of the animals and tidal factors, it said in a statement.
The Northern Advocate reported yesterday that 27 of the whales have since died. The department of conservation said a rahui, or a Maori spiritual ban, was put in place to allow for cultural recovery and biohazard clean-up.
A group of 29 whales was discovered on Monday at Twilight Beach near the northern tip of the country’s North Island.
The department of conservation decided against a rescue operation due to the remote location of the stranding, the condition of the animals and tidal factors, it said in a statement.
The Northern Advocate reported yesterday that 27 of the whales have since died. The department of conservation said a rahui, or a Maori spiritual ban, was put in place to allow for cultural recovery and biohazard clean-up.