Work underway to bury pod of dead whales after they became stranded on West Coast beach

April 6, 2018

The Department of Conservation has a huge job ahead as it works to bury a pod of stranded whales which they had to euthanase yesterday.

DOC says the whales will be buried above the high tide line which will take place over the next couple of days.

The decision was made yesterday to humanely euthanase 12 of the 38 pilot whales that were found stranded on a beach south of Haast on the West Coast as there was "no way to save them".

The dangerous sea and lagoon conditions meant an attempt to re-float the whales could not safely be made, DOC Operations Manager, Wayne Costello said in a statement.

"Unfortunately the sea on the West Coast is typically rough and the strong tidal currents in the adjoining lagoon made it impossible for rescuers to safely attempt to re-float the whales, allow them to regroup and to try to get them back to the open sea.

"DOC staff working with Makaawhio iwi members and local people considered options for a re-float of the whales but in the end this could not be done without considerable risk to both whales and people," Mr Costello said.

Mr Costello praised all the staff and volunteers who had battled to save the stranded whales.

"Those with the whales did all they could to keep them comfortable by getting them upright, cooling them; and protecting them from sun and wind. A big thanks to Makaawhio, Project Jonah and Haast locals who worked alongside DOC staff to help the whales as much as possible. This is a sad outcome."

The Department of Conservation said they were alerted to the stranding Wednesday afternoon and the whales had been stranded for more than 30 hours.

Locals and Makaawhio iwi members had cared for the whales on Wednesday night, but a refloat attempt was not possible, DOC said, due to high swells during the high tide which would have put people in danger.

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