In what comes as another horrible incident, about 250 pilot whales have died after beaching on the remote Chatham Island in New Zealand. The incident comes a couple of weeks after over 200 pilot whales were found dead in Australia after getting stranded in a similar manner.

In what comes as another horrible incident, about 250 pilot whales have died after beaching on the remote Chatham Island in New Zealand. The incident comes a couple of weeks after over 200 pilot whales were found dead in Australia after getting stranded in a similar manner. New Zealand's department of conservation said that whales were stranded on the northwest of the island and that all of them had died. Those who remained alive were euthanised to ease the pain. "All the stranded pilot whales are now deceased and their bodies will be left to decompose naturally on site," the department said in a statement. "We do not actively refloat whales on the Chatham Islands due to the risk of shark attack to both humans and the whales themselves," it added. The island houses less than 800 people and lies nearly 840 kilometres east of mainland New Zealand which makes it extremely difficult to carry out any rescue operation. Read more: Death Trap: Over two dozen whales dead in New Zealand "The Chatham Islands is a challenging spot for stranding response, known for great white sharks, remote beaches, and a resident population of less than 800 people,” Project Jonah, a marine mammal rescue charity whose volunteers worked on the ground informed. "These mass strandings are distressing events, and while we always hope for surviving whales are able to be refloated, this wasn't an option here. Our thoughts go to the Department of Conservation (DOC) rangers and the local community at this time," it added. Chatham Island has seen its fair share of such unfortunate beaching events. In 1918, over 1000 pilot whales reportedly got stranded on the island, which, to date is the largest recorded beaching event. As reported by WION, the incident in New Zealand comes a couple of weeks after the neighbouring country of Australia witnessed a similar tragedy. Read more: Australia: Nearly 200 pilot whales die on Tasmania's west coast after being stranded Nearly 200 whales had died then after beaching on Tasmania's west coast. According to the department of natural resources, the whales got stuck near the harbour entrance, more popularly known as Hell's gates. Despite the best efforts of authorities, the majority of the whales could not be saved and they died on the same spot where 350 pilot whales had lost their lives two years ago. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

250 pilot whales die in New Zealand after another beaching incident

What led to the death of nearly 200 pilot whales at a Tasmanian beach?

Rescuers in New Zealand had to race against time to save dozens of pilot whales that were stranded on the beachside in New Zealand on Monday.

The Department of Conservation (DOC) reported that a pod of 49 long-finned pilot whales was discovered at Farewell Spit, which is nearly 90 kilometres (55 metres) north of Nelson.

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As soon as the pod was discovered, more than 60 people set to work to rescue the whales and bring them back to a healthy life. However, by mid-afternoon nine of the whales from the pod were declared dead.

"Marine mammal medics will assist with refloating the whales and caring for them on the beach, keeping them cool and wet until they can be refloated," a spokeswoman for DOC reported.

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Farewell Spit is a stretch of 26-kilometre of sand that protrudes into the sea at Golden Bay. It has, in the recent past, too, seen similar whale stranding, the recent one being in February 2017, when almost 700 of the marine mammals beached, resulting in 250 deaths.

The reason behind these whale strandings is not yet clear as even the scientists are puzzled as to why is this specific beach so deadly. One given theory, till now is that the spit might be creating a shallow seabed in the bay that may interfere with the whales' sonar navigation systems.

Rescuers in New Zealand had to race against time to save dozens of pilot whales that were stranded on the beachside in New Zealand on Monday. The Department of Conservation (DOC) reported that a pod of 49 long-finned pilot whales was discovered at Farewell Spit, which is nearly 90 kilometres (55 metres) north of Nelson.

Rescuers in New Zealand had to race against time to save dozens of pilot whales that were stranded on the beachside in New Zealand on Monday. The Department of Conservation (DOC) reported that a pod of 49 long-finned pilot whales was discovered at Farewell Spit, which is nearly 90 kilometres (55 metres) north of Nelson. Also read| Why do whales commit suicide? Answer may be sonar As soon as the pod was discovered, more than 60 people set to work to rescue the whales and bring them back to a healthy life. However, by mid-afternoon nine of the whales from the pod were declared dead. "Marine mammal medics will assist with refloating the whales and caring for them on the beach, keeping them cool and wet until they can be refloated," a spokeswoman for DOC reported. Also read| Only 3 of 45 pilot whales survive mass stranding in Indonesia Farewell Spit is a stretch of 26-kilometre of sand that protrudes into the sea at Golden Bay. It has, in the recent past, too, seen similar whale stranding, the recent one being in February 2017, when almost 700 of the marine mammals beached, resulting in 250 deaths. The reason behind these whale strandings is not yet clear as even the scientists are puzzled as to why is this specific beach so deadly. One given theory, till now is that the spit might be creating a shallow seabed in the bay that may interfere with the whales' sonar navigation systems.

Dozens of pilot whales stranded in new Zealand; 9 dead

WION Gravitas: Over 145 pilot whales die after mass stranding in New Zealand

Over 145 pilot whales die after mass stranding in New Zealand