Rare beaked whales strand, die on New Zealand beaches

A rare strap-toothed whale attempted to strand itself on East Clive Beach in New Zealand, leading to its untimely death, as confirmed by the Department of Conservation (DOC). Locals observed the whale swimming erratically before it died, and it was believed to be accompanied by a calf. While whale strandings are not uncommon in New Zealand, the reasons behind them remain unclear, with potential factors including illness and navigational errors. Beaked whales, including strap-toothed whales, are among the least understood marine mammals due to their elusive nature and deep-sea habitats. In a separate incident, a dwarf sperm whale was found washed ashore in Adelaide, Australia, prompting an investigation into its cause of death after it was spotted alive just days earlier. Both events highlight the ongoing concerns regarding marine mammal strandings and their conservation status.