An adult orca has been found dead on a beach in Christchurch this afternoon.
The Department of Conservation said the animal was discovered in the shallows north of Waimairi by a member of the public.
“DOC staff, local iwi and members of Project Jonah are at the scene and will remain overnight to keep it secure,” DOC said.
DOC Mahaanui operations manager Andy Thompson said the sea conditions are challenging and they expect to leave the orca where it is until tomorrow’s low tide.
“We understand the orca was dead when it was spotted by a member of the public who alerted us. We ask that the public stay away to give staff and iwi the space to respond to this incident,” he said.
Thompson said a vet pathologist from Massey University will fly down to Christchurch tomorrow morning to perform a necropsy to try and determine the circumstances around its death.
Appropriate tikanga will be followed and the orca will then be buried on the beach, he said.
“It’s unusual for an adult orca to be found dead in the shallows like this and in good condition. Our national marine team are very keen to find out why the animal has passed away.”