This photo provided by the Department of Conservation (DOC) of New Zealand, Jan. 22, shows a pod of false killer whales being stranded on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. (DOC of New Zealand/Handout via Xinhua)
WELLINGTON, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- A pod of about 45 false killer whales and bottlenose dolphins stranded on Sunday afternoon on east coast of New Zealand north island all died, according to a statement issued by the Department of Conservation (DOC) of New Zealand on Monday.
After being refloated once at high tide by the local community, the entire pod re-stranded unfortunately at a remote and inaccessible reef point. Some of them died, and the rest were finally euthanised, DOC officer released the details in a statement.
DOC Gisborne Operations Manager Matt Tong said they made the difficult decision in conversation to euthanise the animals to prevent them suffering overnight after scientists assessed the whales and dolphins as having extremely low chances of being refloated and surviving.
"Our team found the pod in an extremely distressed and injured state on the rocky reef with some animals already dead. They were clearly suffering and euthanising them was the most humane course of action."
"This is a sad outcome for these whales and the community, particularly after the successful refloating earlier in the day." Matt Tong added.
The DOC team has been working at the site and undertaken measurements and collected samples to help build an understanding about whale and dolphin populations in New Zealand waters.
Whale and dolphin strandings are common in New Zealand. Why they strand is not fully known but factors can include sickness, navigational error, geographical features, a rapidly falling tide, being chased by a predator or extreme weather, according to DOC.■
