Further pilot whale stranding in New Zealand

All members of a pod of 107 pilot whales that stranded on a remote New Zealand beach recently died, including 48 that had to be euthanised.

The animals were discovered near Cavalier Creek on Stewart Island, off the southern tip of New Zealand's South Island. Half of the group were already dead and others dying. Pilot whales are the most common species of whale in New Zealand waters.

January 2011 saw 24 pilot whales dying after stranding on the North Island, December 2009 more than 120 whales died in two separate beachings near Golden Bay and on the east coast of North Island. Euthanasia is a difficult decision, but is made purely for the welfare of the animal involved to prevent it from prolonged suffering.