4.1 metres pygmy right whale found dead on Collingwood Beach, New Zealand

CHARLOTTE SQUIRE

16/10/2012

After being successfully refloated from Patons Rock beach on Sunday, a pygmy right whale was found dead on Collingwood Beach yesterday.

Department of Conservation (DOC) threatened fauna ranger Mike Ogle said Patons Rock residents called the department’s hotline on Sunday and he worked with “16 burly locals” to carry the whale 60 metres up the beach, where it was successfully refloated.

HARD AT WORK: Residents carry a pygmy right whale weighing 600kg to 800kg up Patons Rock beach to be refloated.

Mr Ogle said Patons Rock residents did an “amazing job” and it seemed that the whale would survive.

“As soon as it got its bearings, it looked good. There were no abrasions on it, apart from some cookie-cutter bites from sharks, which is normal. It looked round and healthy.”

But a Collingwood resident phoned DOC yesterday to say a pygmy right whale had washed up dead on Collingwood Beach.

The whale was removed and disposed of by DOC workers. The whale was 4.1 metres long. An adult pygmy right whale can grow as long as 5.5m.

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