Conservationists kill whale with 'mercy bullet'

Rescue workers trying to save two distressed pygmy whales on the Horowhenua coast had to shoot one while the other made it back to sea.

Conservation Department ranger Jim Campbell said a group of DOC staff and Himatangi residents battled heavy surf for seven hours yesterday to save the two pygmy sperm whales stranded on Himatangi Beach.

They were caught in shallow water, The Manawatu Standard reported.

Mr Campbell said one whale, with guidance by the group, managed to swim off but the other's struggle was ended with a mercy bullet late in the afternoon.

"We've given it our best crack, but she's so tired and stressed that she can't register anything and won't make it out against the incoming tide.

"She's too tired. She's given up. In the natural course of events, she would die."

Skin samples were taken before the carcass was buried.

Palmerston North DOC biodiversity manager Vivienne McGlynn said the whales were possibly a mother and calf.

The biggest one was about 3m long, which was fairly typical for an adult pygmy sperm whale.

- NZPA