28 Mar 2009

Whales die after stranding at Chatham Islands

7:33 am on 28 March 2009

More than a 100 pilot whales have died after becoming stranded on an isolated beach at the Chatham Islands.

The Department of Conservation was notified of the mass stranding at Mairangi, on the north-eastern islands, on Thursday night.

However, by the time department staff reached the location the tide had gone out.

Eight surviving whales had to be put down because of their injuries.