New Zealand whale stranding after March meteor/fireball

The meteor/fireball and the corresponding whale stranding in New Zealand in March-April. This post could have future updates.

2024, March 29. New Zealand, Manawatū-Whanganui, Marlborough, Taranaki, Waikato and Wellington. Large Meteor/Fireball. Time 05:42 UT. Local time: 6:35. North Island, west coast, travelling west towards the Tasman Sea. It was seen, heard and felt over a distance of 500km. Second significant fireball event since the March 13 meteor impact. Great image of the trail taken. Explosion, shockwave and tremor. Eyewitness account: “It felt like an earthquake, followed by a shockwave”, “I didn’t see the fireball - but felt the explosion and shockwave. It was the loudest explosion we have ever heard, felt the earth move, and there was a sudden weird wind momentarily straight after the event.”

2024, April 3. New Zealand. A 15m dead whale (Possibly humpback or blue whale) has washed up on Parapara Beach in Golden Bay (near Farewell Spit) Cook Strait/Tasman Sea. First seen at sea on the 2 April. Project Jonah is investigating the incident.

2024, April 13+-. New Zealand, Wairarapa, Riversdale Beach. Juvenile female orca. Washed up in bad condition and subsequently euthanized.

2024, April 18. New Zealand, North Island, West End, Ōhope Beach, Bay of Plenty Beach. An infant pilot whale washed up on Ōhope Beach.

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