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43 pilot whales die after stranding on New Zealand coast
Published : Sunday, 8 November, 2026 at 10:04 AM
Observer Online Report
Collected Photo
Forty-three pilot whales have died after becoming stranded on the coast of New Zealand, authorities and rescue groups reported, describing the event as difficult and tragic.
New Zealand’s Department of Conservation (DOC) was first alerted to the stranding near the settlement of Ngawi, close to Cape Palliser, after 8:00AM local time on Thursday (November 5). Initial reports indicated at least 20 whales on the shore, four of which were still alive at the time, according to marine conservation organization Project Jonah New Zealand.
Project Jonah worked alongside DOC and the local Iwi (Maori community) to assess the health of the surviving whales and prepare to return them to the water during high tide.
However, by midday Friday (November 6), DOC announced that a total of 43 whales had been located along the coastline from Ngawi to Mangatoetoe, and unfortunately, none were believed to have survived. Project Jonah confirmed that the whales initially found alive also died during the day. The organization stated that the operation was a difficult and tragic experience for all those involved in the rescue attempt.
A local fisherman, Andrew Sim, termed the incident "very sad".
Professor Ian L. Boyd, from the University of St Andrews in Scotland, noted that such strandings typically involve social animals, with whole or partial social groups often becoming trapped together. These incidents are more common on shallow, gently sloping beaches.
Strandings are more frequent during the current summer season in New Zealand, when whales often approach closer to the shore in search of food.
-EM
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Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
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Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, 01550707296
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