DOC investigate dolphin deaths
14 October 2003 |
The Department of Conservation (DOC) is investigating the deaths of four common dolphins that have been found in Northland over the past four days.
Two female common dolphins were found washed up at the mouth of the Otamatea River, on the Kaipara Harbour, on Friday afternoon.
On Saturday, a third dolphin was discovered dumped on the driveway of a house at Maungaturoto, about 60km south of Whangarei, on Sunday morning.
A fourth dead dolphin was discovered yesterday on a West Coast beach north of Dargaville.
DOC Kauri Coast area manager Tim Brandenburg said the dolphin found in the driveway had upset the resident.
"We got a call from a gentleman on Sunday morning, saying that he got up and went outside and found this dead dolphin in the driveway," he said.
"It was a pretty gruesome sort of thing to wake up to. Dolphins can't fly, and there's no sea nearby, so it could be somebody's sick idea of a joke."
The causes of death of all four dolphins were not obvious and had not yet been determined.
There were a few scratches and cuts on the dolphins' stomachs, but those could have been caused after death. There were no gunshot wounds.
Mr Brandenburg said three of the carcasses had been sent to Massey University for autopsy.
"The fourth dolphin is in a much more advanced stage of decomposition and we can't really do anything with it."
It was not yet clear whether the deaths were related and if they were a result of human involvement. However, he said finding four dead dolphins in one area within a matter of days was unusual.
"The circumstances surrounding the deaths of the three found in the inner harbour are peculiar and we are interested to hear from anyone who can shed more light on the situation," Mr Brandenburg said.
A pod of seven or eight common dolphins was seen swimming in the Otamatea River area on Thursday. Those with any other sitings or information could contact DOC staff in confidence, he said.
The deaths of the animals was upsetting for all involved.
"Although common dolphins are not a threatened species, unlike its cousin, the endangered maui dolphin, it is extremely disheartening to find these beautiful animals washed up dead on a beach.
"It was not pleasant for us to pick them up and wrap them to send for autopsy."
Common dolphins are the most abundant New Zealand dolphin. They occur worldwide, are found around much of the New Zealand coast and are often playful.
They have pronounced beaks and a distinctive criss-cross tan or golden blaze on their flanks.
Anyone with information was urged to contact the Northland DOC office.
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