READ MORE: Over 200 whales stuck on beach in shock mystery stranding with many expected to die“This is one of the larger events for mass strandings in New Zealand,” said a statement from wildlife charity Project Jonah. “While we experience large mass strandings at Farewell Spit, these events average 70-80 whales”.
Many of the animals had already died when they were found and the survivors were euthanised because they could not safely be reflected, according to a statement from New Zealand’s Department of Conservation.Dave Lundquist, a marine technical adviser at New Zealand’s Department of Conservation, told reporters that a technical team had assessed the stranded whales and the decision was made to euthanise them.“This decision is never taken lightly, but in cases like this it is the kindest option,” he said.He explained that trying to re-float the injured whales could lead to an increased risk of shark attack to both whales and humans.The waters in the region are known to be swarming with great white sharks, Dave said, making it much too dangerous for rescuers to guide the animals back into deeper water.Project Jonah's Daren Grover added: “There simply aren’t the networks of people or the availability of people to be able to attend any refloat of any surviving whales out there.
There’s a population of less than 40 people.“It’s incredibly remote – one of the smallest self-contained populations on the planet.
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