Orca dies in shallows at Christchurch beach
An orca has died in the shallows of Waimairi Beach, Christchurch this afternoon. DoC staff, local iwi and members of Project Jonah are at the scene. Video / DoC
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Otago Daily Times
2 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Dead orca found on Christchurch beach
The adult orca was first noticed by a member of the public at a beach north of Waimairi. Photo: DOC / SUPPLIED An adult orca has been discovered dead at a beach in Christchurch. The Department of Conservation (DOC) has called the death "unusual" and said it was at the scene at a beach north of Waimairi along with local iwi and members of Project Jonah. DOC Mahaanui Operations Manager Andy Thompson said a member of the public alerted DOC to the situation, and due to "challenging" sea conditions the body was unlikely to be moved before Friday morning's low tide. Staff remained at the beach overnight, Thompson said. "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." A vet pathologist would fly down to Christchurch from Massey University on Friday, Thompson said, to perform a necropsy on the orca to try and figure out how the animal had died. "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."
Otago Daily Times
2 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Dead orca discovered on Christchurch beach
The adult orca was first noticed by a member of the public at a beach north of Waimairi. Photo: DOC / SUPPLIED An adult orca has been discovered dead at a beach in Christchurch. The Department of Conservation (DOC) has called the death "unusual" and said it was at the scene at a beach north of Waimairi along with local iwi and members of Project Jonah. DOC Mahaanui Operations Manager Andy Thompson said a member of the public alerted DOC to the situation, and due to "challenging" sea conditions the body was unlikely to be moved before Friday morning's low tide. Staff remained at the beach overnight, Thompson said. "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." A vet pathologist would fly down to Christchurch from Massey University on Friday, Thompson said, to perform a necropsy on the orca to try and figure out how the animal had died. "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."
1News
10 hours ago
- 1News
Orca found dead on Christchurch beach
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. ADVERTISEMENT The orca was found in the shallows north of Waimairi. (Source: DOC) 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."
