Almost 60 pilot whales died after becoming stranded on a beach in northern New Zealand.

Trained rescue volunteers are desperately trying to save 15 surviving whales, which are said to be in "fairly poor condition".
Officials said 58 of the pod have already died.

Conservation officials believe the whales beached overnight on the isolated Kaitaia beach, on the Karikari Peninsula, hours before the mass stranding was discovered.

Heavy rain and wind have had a mixed effect on the rescue effort.

While ensuring the surviving whales do not dry out, the conditions have hampered attempts to refloat the mammals.

A team of 40 volunteers are attending to the surviving few, among the carcasses of the many perished whales lying on the beach.

At least five people are needed to work with each of the whales, which weigh up to 1.5 tonnes.

Beachings are not uncommon along the New Zealand coast as whales pass by on their summer migration to and from Antarctic waters.

More than 100 pilot whales died in a stranding on the South Island last December.

Source:- http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20100820/twl-dozens-of-washed-up-whales-perish-in-3fd0ae9.html