93 Pilot Whales Stranded In Chatham Islands, New Zealand

JAKARTA - The New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC) announced the strandings of 93 pilot whales and three dolphins in the Chatham Islands, New Zealand on Wednesday, November 25. Rescue efforts were immediately carried out by DOC to minimize the death of whales and dolphins.

The DOC reported that the stranding incident of whales and dolphins had occurred since Sunday. However, they were only informed today, Wednesday, November 25 by local fishermen. Because of this, rescue efforts were hampered, especially because the marine animals were stranded in remote areas.

We're saddened to hear of a mass pilot whale stranding earlier this week on the Chatham Islands. More than 100 pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins stranded over the weekend at this very remote location. Photo: Sam in the Wild pic.twitter.com/eK7QSP9nsl

- Project Jonah (@ProjectJonah) November 24, 2020

"Only 26 whales are still alive at this point, most of them appearing very weak, and due to the rough conditions of the sea and there is almost certainly a great white shark in the water brought by this stranded creature," said one of the rescue team, Jemma. Welch.

Previously, the worst mass stranding of marine animals ever occurred in 1918. At that time, the pilot whale died from stranding.

The stranding incident was the worst in New Zealand. What's more, the causes of whale stranding have puzzled many biologists for years.

Meanwhile, New Zealand's neighboring country, Australia, last September recorded 270 pilot whales stranded on the island of Tasmania. Local oceanographers believe the reason the whales stranded is because of many causes, one of the problems with navigation errors.