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145 Pilot Whales Die in Stranding on New Zealand Beach

by Associated Press

   WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND --

   All of the 145 pilot whales that stranded themselves on a remote New
   Zealand beach have died.

   However, conservation workers are hoping to save some of the eight
   pygmy killer whales that remain stranded at the other end of the
   country in an unrelated event.
   A hiker discovered the pilot whales in two pods about 2 kilometers (1.2
   miles) apart late Saturday on Stewart Island. About 75 were already
   dead and conservation workers decided to euthanize the others due to
   their poor condition and remote location.
   Whale strandings are relatively common in New Zealand during the
   Southern Hemisphere spring and summer. It's believed strandings can be
   caused by a number of factors, such as the whales trying to escape
   predators, falling ill, or navigating incorrectly.