About 50 pilot whales stranded on New Zealand coast-Xinhua - 新华网

WELLINGTON, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- About 50 pilot whales have become stranded along the rugged south coast of Wairarapa on New Zealand's North Island, with most believed to have died, local residents said Thursday.

Local residents told Radio New Zealand that they had counted about 50 whales trapped among rocks along the coastline near Cape Palliser. Some said they had never witnessed pilot whales coming ashore in the area in more than four decades.

A handful of surviving whales were being kept wet and cool by local residents, but most of the pod appeared to have succumbed to their injuries, according to the report.

Whale rescue group Project Jonah said at least 20 pilot whales had stranded, with four still alive. Health assessments were underway, and preparations were being made for a possible refloat during high tide late Thursday.

Project Jonah said in a social media post that its whale medics had been mobilized and were working with the Department of Conservation and local Maori tribes. ■