At least 300 whales found dead in mass stranding on New Zealand beach - Watch

Image credit: Project Jonah/Twitter

New Delhi: At least 300 pilot whales were found dead on a New Zealand beach and more than 400 whales were found stranded on Friday in what authorities described as the worst whale stranding they've ever seen.

Sources from the Ministry of Conservation said that it was estimated that a total of 416 whales were beached on Thursday night in a remote sandy area known as Farewell Spit - at the tip of the South Island. It is an area that seems to confuse whales and has been the site of previous mass strandings.

Conservation workers and volunteers were hoping to refloat the surviving whales at high tide this morning.

Volunteer rescue group Project Jonah said a most whales were dead when they were discovered.

Check out the video below that shows volunteers trying to rescue the stranded whales!

Video credit: RNZ Live News/YouTube

Although the reasons why these whales have been stranded are still unknown, the Golden Bay, which has shallow waters, is known for these kinds of incidents.

The pilot whale is characterized by its domed forehead and robust body that can grow to between six and seven metres long.

(With Agencies input)