The Shepherd's beaked whale that was refloated near St Heliers in Auckland on Tuesday 3 March was found deceased on the afternoon of Wednesday 4 March off Hobsonville.
This statement can be attributed to Bec Rush, Mainland Auckland Operations Manager, DOC:
The Shepherd's beaked whale that was refloated near St Heliers in Auckland on Tuesday 3 March was found deceased on the afternoon of Wednesday 4 March off Hobsonville.
It is unusual for a deep-water species of whale to be found close to shore – it's often a sign it is injured or sick.
We have taken tissue samples for scientific analysis and are working alongside mana whenua to remove the remains from the current spot to a suitable burial site.
Thank you to everyone involved this week including Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, Ngāti Paoa, Te Kawerau ā Maki, Project Jonah and Massey University, and the volunteers and public who have been a great support.
If you spot a stranded or entangled whale, dolphin or other sea animal, please immediately call the Department of Conservation emergency hotline 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).
Species background
This statement can be attributed to Dave Lundquist, Senior Marine Science Advisor, DOC:
The Shepherd's beaked whale is found only in the Southern Hemisphere, with most records in and around New Zealand.
They are one of 13 species of beaked whale known from New Zealand, a world biodiversity hotspot for the group.
They are unique amongst beaked whales in having functional teeth in both the upper and lower jaws.
The Shepherd's beaked whale status in New Zealand is Data Deficient, as we do not know how many of these animals there are, nor whether that number is increasing or decreasing over time.
We have records of 38 Shepherd's beaked whales stranding in New Zealand, as well as 11 sightings of groups of whales seen live at sea.
Strandings have occurred all around the country, from Cape Reinga out to the Chathams and down to Stewart Island, indicating they likely have a widespread distribution throughout New Zealand waters.
Most of the live sightings are associated with offshore underwater canyon systems, for example off Kaikoura and Otago, in relatively deep waters typically used by beaked whales.
