Mass Pilot Whale stranding NZ

[TWT]

'It's the worst whale stranding we have ever seen' - National - NZ Herald News

400 whales stranded themselves.Very sad

Don't think science has discovered definitively why this happens.Lots of theories.

[Ogre]

Maybe the NZ Prime Minister issued an executive order travel ban for whales from certain countries coming to NZ...

[Takan Inchovit]

NZ has a track record for killing large numbers of whales. Great for exports to Japan.

[John Hill]

NZ has a track record for killing large numbers of whales. Great for exports to Japan.

They are not citizens of NZ and are not protected by the NZBOR neither are they protected by the ToW.

[Sallyann1234]

Those brave people trying to save the whales are taking a risk. French special forces might be on their way.

[Takan Inchovit]

They are not citizens of NZ and are not protected by the NZBOR neither are they protected by the ToW

It doesn't seem like the P.u.S.H helped either, but I noticed the last time I orbited earth that the Farewell spit is shaped like a hook?

[Saintsman]

Great for exports to Japan.

Which begs the question. As the dead animals have to be disposed of, is it okay to export them to Japan for food?

[Wetstart Dryrun]

So where are navigator whales when you actually need one?

[4mastacker]

Originally Posted by Wetstart Dryrun

So where are navigator whales when you actually need one?

They got lost!

[Sallyann1234]

Navigator whales are redundant now.
Pilot whales all use GPS.

[FLCH]

They were wearing sunglasses to look cool and ran aground

[prospector]

As the dead animals have to be disposed of,

People have been warned to keep away from the carcasses. In the summer heat the stomachs are exploding,. The stench should be enough to keep the sightseeing public a good distance away, perhaps.

[G0ULI]

Mass strandings like this were apparently more common in the past before the advent of commercial whaling. Perhaps this is a sign that whale populations are starting to recover from human predation.

[John Hill]

Mass strandings like this were apparently more common in the past before the advent of commercial whaling.

Where did you get this information? I find it very unlikely that we know anything at all about whale stranding prior to the advent of commercial whaling around NZ.

[Basil]

The Exploding Sperm Whale
Just as well the marine biologist didn't have a fag in his mouth.
(Yes, I formed the impression that they feared that would happen)

[G0ULI]

John Hill

I wasn't referring specifically to New Zealand. The remains of mass whale strandings have been unearthed by archeologists all around the world. In the northern British Isles such strandings were pretty much an annual event and eagerly anticipated by the indigenous population. The whales supplied meat, oil and bone, all materials that were put to good use. I can't believe that other people around the world didn't also take advantage of such bounty delivered free by the sea. New Zealand would certainly have had mass strandings in the past and doubtless the remains are there if anyone cares to look. Or perhaps there are Maori legends that tell a story of whales coming to shore.

[West Coast]

If the whales are disposed of at sea, I'd be wary of swimming or surfing in the general area. It's like ringing the dinner bell for sharks. Happened a number of times here and the effect was a greater number of sharks sighted.

[John Hill]

I have not heard that pilot whales were ever targeted by whalers around NZ.

[Captain Dart]

'The Simpsons'' take on a Blue Whale beaching:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8njDFdXwqjQ