Nearly 100 whales die in mass fibers in New Zealand

About 97 whales and three dolphins died at the scene, which Department of Defense staff were alerted to local time on Sunday.

“There were only 26 whales alive in the area, most of which appeared very vulnerable, were subjected to harsh marine conditions and euthanasia, and the presence of large white sharks in the water is almost certain,” said Biodiversity Ranger Gemma Welch in a statement.

Pilot whales – small, toothed whales with swollen foreheads, a short snout and sharp flippers – are sociable creatures, and live in groups of dozens, hundreds or thousands.

Two more whales were stranded on Monday and had to be euthanized, the Department of Defense said, leaving the departments to decompose naturally.

Representatives Indigenous Hokotehi Moriori Trust and Nagati Mudunga O Waregauri Ivy Trust performed a karaoke / karakia. – A prayer, or mantra – on Sunday to honor the spirits of the whales, the department added.

The department says mass fibers are common in the Saddam Islands, which in 1918 killed up to 1,000 animals in a single issue.

In September, more than 450 pilot whales Beach in Tasmania, Australia, on the largest coastline in that state. At least a third died during rescue efforts.