Last updated 16:56, May 27 2018
Three more sperm whales have washed ashore on a South Taranaki beach, bringing the total to 11 since eight dead whales were discovered three days ago.
The bloated, black 12-14m long carcasses of the mammals are spread 5km along Kaupokonui Beach, north of Manaia.
DOC biodiversity supervisor Jared Coombes said the latest strandings, several hundred metres to the right of the river mouth, happened on Saturday.
It appeared the three mammals may have been dead before they washed ashore, but this would be confirmed when a biopsy was completed, Coombes said.
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