(Reuters) -More than two dozen pilot whales have died after becoming stranded on a remote beach in New Zealand.

A group of 29 whales was discovered on Monday at Twilight Beach, or Paenga Rehia, near the northern tip of the country’s North Island.

The Department of Conservation decided against a rescue operation due to the remote location of the stranding, the condition of the animals and tidal factors, it said in a statement.

The Northern Advocate reported on Thursday that 27 of the whales have since died.

The Department of Conservation said a rahui, or a Maori spiritual ban, was put in place to allow for cultural recovery and biohazard clean-up.

The process would be led by the local Ngati Kuri people, with the department supporting.

New Zealand and neighbouring Australia are hot spo

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