Almost 200 pilot whales stranded themselves Friday on a New Zealand beach notorious as a deathtrap for the marine mammals, the Department of Conservation officials said.
From the pod of 198 stranded whales at Farewell Spit, at least 24 whales died and rescue workers were trying to refloat the survivors.
Pilot whales can reach up to six meters (20 feet) long and are the most common species of whale in New Zealand waters. Scientists are uncertain why they strand themselves in large groups, with some presuming healthy whales beach themselves while trying to help sick or disorientated family members that are stranded.
Other scientists believe the topography of certain places like Farewell Spit somehow disrupts the whales' sonar navigation, causing them to beach.
