KEY POINTS:
A stranded young pilot whale sending distress calls was sacrificed by Department of Conservation officials to save the lives of 40 others.
DOC spokesman Reuben Williams said more than 50 whales had been refloated on Friday after stranding near Marsden Point, where 37 died. But as the young whale was calling out to the others, they were reluctant to leave the shore and were still in danger. The decision was made to euthanise him.
Williams said the whales then moved out of the harbour. "It was a pretty emotive situation for everyone involved in the team," he said. But the young whale's death was in vain, as 48 of the pod stranded 1.5km further south yesterday and 17 died. A further rescue effort was mounted - this one seemingly successful, as the whales were 3km offshore, and hundreds of volunteers rallied to the whales' plight.
