Killer whales die in New Zealand mass stranding
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E-mail China.org.cn, February 13, 2014
A pod of nine killer whales have died in a rare stranding of the species in the far south of New Zealand's South Island, the Department of Conservation (DOC) said Wednesday.
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Deceased killer whales at Blue Cliffs beach. [Photo/DOC] |
The deaths of the eight adults and one juvenile near Tuatapere early Wednesday would have an impact on the national population of about 200 orca, said a DOC statement.
All of the animals died at the scene and the DOC had recovered some DNA samples and the carcass of one animal for necropsy.
"We don't know why the animals stranded, but this offers an opportunity to collect as much data as possible to help learn more about the species," said the statement.
DOC is yet to confirm details of a possible recovery and/or burial of the animals at the site as it is an offence to remove any part of the whales from the beach.
More than 70 pilot whales died in three mass strandings at Farewell Spit, at the top of the South Island, last month.
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