Brasilia, Sep 24 (IANS/EFE) Six whales died after they beached themselves in the northeastern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Norte, officials said Monday.
The whales were among a group of about 30 marine mammals that got stranded Sunday on Upanema beach, located about 330 km from Natal, the capital of Rio Grande do Norte. But despite fishermen immediately setting up an improvised rescue operation, all except six of them made it back out to sea.
Personnel from a whale research institute at the University of Rio Grande do Norte and police officers also assisted in the rescue effort.
Six of the whales died on the beach despite the best efforts of rescuers, police said.
The marine mammals were young pilot whales, University of Rio Grande do Norte researchers said.