Daily Times

Another pod of 240 pilot whales died after being stranded on Pitt Island, New Zealand in the Pacific Ocean, days after 215 whales perished during a strange beaching occurrence. The Department of Conservation claimed that the remaining whales were euthanized even though the majority of the whales perished naturally.

The whales were put to death because, in addition to the logistical challenges on the Ne Zealand island’s population of less than 100, there was a risk that sharks might eat them if they were refloated into the ocean.

“This decision is never taken lightly, but in cases like this, it is the kindest option. The conservation department does not try to refloat whales in the area due to the risk of shark attack to both humans and whales,” Dave Lundquist, marine technical advisor at the Department of Conservation, told Reuters.