WELLINGTON, 17 (Reuter) - At least two sperm whales were pounded to death by surf on Sunday after running aground on a New Zealand beach, as hundreds of onlookers watched helplessly. Conservation staff said a third whale was showing no signs of life and was also believed to have died in the stranding on a beach near Wellington.
Rough conditions ruled out any chance of volunteers going to the rescue of the helpless 10-metre (30 foot) mammals, which died of internal injuries after being battered by the heavy seas.
"It's a navigational error...they get caught in the surf and they're unable to escape from it," said Bruce Dix of the Department of Conservation.
Whale strandings are relatively frequent in New Zealand but some have happier endings. Last month rescuers successfully refloated 27 smaller pilot whales which ran aground on a spit at the top of the South Island.