Farewell Spit
New Zealand beached whale crisis 'over' say rescuers
Whale rescuers were cautiously optimistic on Feb. 12 that the current wave of mass beachings in New Zealand was over, after hundreds of the creatures died after being stranded ashore.
The crisis began early Feb. 10 when a pod of 416 whales were found stranded on the 26-kilometer Farewell Spit, with hundreds more following them over the weekend.
Over 400 whales stranded on New Zealand beach (photos-video)
More than 400 whales were stranded on a New Zealand beach Friday, with most of them dying quickly as frustrated volunteers desperately raced to save the survivors.
It was one of the largest mass beachings recorded in New Zealand, where strandings are relatively common, the Department of Conservation said.