The Department of Conservation (DOC) received reports of the whale stranding at Mahia early this morning, with a local ranger responding shortly afterwards. The individual was identified as a 10–12 metre sperm whale.
The whale passed naturally in the early afternoon.
It is not uncommon for whales/dolphins to strand or wash up dead on NZ beaches, mostly during the summer and occasionally in winter. Identifying the exact cause of a stranding can be difficult as there are numerous potential causes.
DOC is working with local iwi on site for preparation and burial of the whale.
/Public Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) might be of the point-in-time nature, and edited for clarity, style and length. Mirage.News does not take institutional positions or sides, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s).View in full here.
