Two endangered North Atlantic right whales were found entangled in fishing gear off the coast of Massachusetts, posing a potentially fatal threat to one juvenile whale.

An extremely rare Spade-toothed Beaked Whale Mesoplodon traversii washed ashore in Otago, providing the first chance to dissect and study such a specimen, with DNA analysis underway to confirm its species.

Seven more pilot whales died after becoming re-stranded at Golden Bay, Tasman, following their initial rescue. Six perished naturally, while one was euthanised due to poor condition.