Up to 145 pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in a remote part of New Zealand, with authorities saying Monday they made the “heart-breaking” decision to euthanize dozens that lay stricken on the shore. The stranding was discovered by a hiker late Saturday on Stewart Island, 30 kilometers off the southern coast of the South Island. Half of the whales were already dead and due to the condition of the remaining whales and the remote, difficult-to-access location, the decision was made to euthanize the remainder.

145 pilot whales die in remote beach. (2018, November 27 ). Manila Standard, p. B3.