Pilot whales stranded on New Zealand beach

pilot whales stranded on a remote beach in the southern part of the country 28 pilot whales that were left stranded on a New Zealand beach on Thursday are likely to be put down as there is little chance of refloating them, wildlife officials said. Twelve of the whales that beached themselves at Golden Bay on the South Island had already died and the rest were in poor condition, the Department of Conservation (DOC) said.
DOC regional manager John Mason said because the whaled beached during the highest tide of the month it reduced the chances of getting them back in the water.
"The next tide won't reach them and we're mulling our options at the moment, most likely euthanasia," Mason said.
Mass standings are common in New Zealand and about 100 pilot whales beached themselves in the same bay last January, with most unable to survive.
Pilot whales are members of the dolphin family and grow up to six metres (20 feet) long.