60 whales beached in New Zealand

[malaise]

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Beached-Whales-In-New-Zealand-Rescue-Teams-Save-Two-Thirds-Of-Pilot-Whales-That-Swam-To-Shore/Article/200912415509184

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Rescuers Save Beached Whales In New Zealand

1:43pm UK, Monday December 28, 2009

Tom Bonnett, Sky News Online
Hundreds of people have rushed to a popular holiday spot on the north island of New Zealand to help a pod of over 60 stranded pilot whales.

Thanks to the efforts of swarms of locals and tourists two-thirds of the whales were saved, New Zealand broadcaster TVNZ said.

The station said one whale even gave birth immediately after being rescued.

Rescuers monitored the survivors as they swam away from Colville Beach on North Island's Coromandel peninsula, and by Monday morning they were reported to be well out to sea.

Members of New Zealand's native Maori community were expected to give the dead whales a burial later.
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