107 stranded pilot whales die on New Zealand beach

A pod of 107 pilot whales stranded on a remote New Zealand beach have all died.

Hikers found them on Sunday near Cavalier Creek on Stewart Island, off the southern tip of New Zealand's South Island.

Half of the pod had to be put to sleep as they were high up the beach with little chance of survival as the tide receded.

"Euthanasia is a difficult decision, but is made purely for the welfare of the animal involved to prevent it from prolonged suffering," said Brent Beaven, the official who led the conservation department team at the site.

Pilot whales are about 13 feet to 20 feet long and are the most common species of whale in New Zealand waters.

Whale strandings are common in New Zealand. Last month, 24 pilot whales died after becoming stranded on the North Island. In December 2009, more than 120 whales died in two separate beachings near Golden Bay and on the east coast of North Island.